CVE-2024-4080 is a high-severity vulnerability identified in National Instruments' LabVIEW software, specifically within the tdcore.dll component. The root cause is an improper length check leading to a buffer over-read or buffer overflow condition, classified under CWE-119 (Improper Restriction of Operations within the Bounds of a Memory Buffer). This memory corruption flaw can be exploited by an attacker who crafts a malicious Virtual Instrument (VI) file and convinces a LabVIEW user to open it. Upon opening the specially crafted VI, the vulnerability may lead to information disclosure or arbitrary code execution within the context of the LabVIEW process. The vulnerability affects LabVIEW 2024 Q1 and all prior versions, indicating a broad range of impacted software releases. The CVSS v3.1 base score is 7.8, reflecting high severity, with attack vector Local (AV:L), low attack complexity (AC:L), no privileges required (PR:N), but user interaction is necessary (UI:R). The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability is high (C:H/I:H/A:H). No public exploits are known at this time, and no patches have been linked yet. The vulnerability is significant because LabVIEW is widely used in engineering, industrial automation, and scientific research environments, where compromised systems could lead to operational disruptions or intellectual property theft. The requirement for user interaction and local access somewhat limits remote exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users may receive untrusted VI files via email or shared drives.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2024-4080 can be substantial, particularly in sectors relying heavily on LabVIEW for automation, testing, and control systems such as manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, and research institutions. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized disclosure of sensitive design data or intellectual property, manipulation of test results, or disruption of critical industrial processes. This could result in financial losses, regulatory non-compliance, and damage to reputation. Since LabVIEW is often integrated into operational technology (OT) environments, successful exploitation might also affect physical processes, raising safety concerns. The need for user interaction means phishing or social engineering campaigns targeting engineers and technicians could be a likely attack vector. Additionally, the vulnerability's presence in multiple versions increases the attack surface, especially in organizations with slower patch cycles or legacy systems. The lack of known exploits currently provides a window for proactive mitigation, but the high impact rating necessitates urgent attention.

1. Implement strict controls on the distribution and opening of VI files, including user training to recognize and avoid opening untrusted or unexpected VI files. 2. Employ application whitelisting or sandboxing techniques to restrict LabVIEW's ability to execute or load files from untrusted sources. 3. Monitor and restrict local user privileges to minimize the risk of exploitation by limiting who can run LabVIEW and open VI files. 4. Use endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to detect anomalous behavior indicative of exploitation attempts, such as unusual memory access patterns or code execution within LabVIEW processes. 5. Establish network segmentation to isolate systems running LabVIEW from general user networks, reducing the risk of lateral movement. 6. Maintain an inventory of LabVIEW versions deployed and prioritize upgrades once patches become available. 7. Collaborate with National Instruments for timely updates and apply patches immediately upon release. 8. Consider implementing file integrity monitoring on directories where VI files are stored to detect unauthorized modifications or additions.