CVE-2019-25360: Aida64 Engineer Buffer Overflow RCE Flaw

CVE-2019-25360 Overview

CVE-2019-25360 is a buffer overflow vulnerability affecting AIDA64 Engineer version 6.10.5200. The vulnerability exists in the CSV logging configuration functionality, allowing attackers to execute malicious code by crafting a specially designed payload. Exploitation involves creating a malformed log file with carefully constructed Structured Exception Handler (SEH) overwrite techniques to achieve code execution on the target system.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation of this buffer overflow vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on the affected system, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or lateral movement within the network.

Affected Products

• AIDA64 Engineer 6.10.5200

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-02-18 - CVE-2019-25360 published to NVD
• 2026-02-19 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2019-25360

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified as CWE-121 (Stack-based Buffer Overflow). The flaw resides in AIDA64 Engineer's CSV logging configuration module, where improper bounds checking on user-controlled input allows attackers to overflow a stack buffer. When processing specially crafted log file data, the application fails to validate the length of input strings before copying them to fixed-size stack buffers.

The local attack vector requires user interaction, meaning an attacker must convince a victim to open a malicious file or configuration. Once triggered, the buffer overflow corrupts adjacent memory on the stack, including the Structured Exception Handler (SEH) chain. By carefully crafting the overflow payload, attackers can redirect program execution flow to attacker-controlled code.

Root Cause

The root cause of CVE-2019-25360 is insufficient input validation in the CSV logging configuration parser. The application allocates a fixed-size buffer on the stack to store configuration data but does not properly verify that incoming data fits within the allocated space. This classic buffer overflow pattern allows excess data to overwrite critical stack structures, including saved return addresses and exception handler pointers.

Attack Vector

The attack requires local access and user interaction. An attacker must craft a malicious configuration or log file containing an oversized payload designed to overflow the vulnerable buffer. The payload typically includes:

1. Padding bytes - Fill the buffer up to the overflow boundary
2. SEH overwrite - Carefully crafted addresses to hijack the exception handler chain
3. Shellcode - Executable payload that runs after gaining control of execution flow

The exploitation technique leverages Structured Exception Handler (SEH) overwrite, a classic Windows exploitation method where the attacker corrupts the SEH chain to redirect execution to malicious code when an exception occurs.

Detailed technical analysis and proof-of-concept information is available at the Exploit-DB #47574 advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2019-25360

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected crashes or exceptions in AIDA64 Engineer processes, particularly when loading configuration files
• Presence of unusually large or malformed CSV configuration files in AIDA64 working directories
• Suspicious process execution chains originating from AIDA64 Engineer (aida64.exe)
• Memory dump analysis showing corrupted SEH chains or stack canary violations

Detection Strategies

• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for stack buffer overflow exploitation attempts
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unexpected code from AIDA64 processes
• Monitor for suspicious file access patterns involving AIDA64 configuration files
• Enable crash dump collection and analysis for AIDA64 to identify exploitation attempts

Monitoring Recommendations

• Configure Windows Event Forwarding to collect application crash events (Event ID 1000, 1001) for AIDA64 Engineer
• Implement file integrity monitoring on AIDA64 configuration directories
• Deploy memory protection mechanisms such as EMET or Windows Defender Exploit Guard
• Monitor process creation events for unusual child processes spawned by AIDA64 Engineer

How to Mitigate CVE-2019-25360

Immediate Actions Required

• Update AIDA64 Engineer to the latest available version from the official AIDA64 downloads page
• Restrict access to AIDA64 configuration files to trusted users and administrators only
• Implement application control policies to prevent execution of untrusted files by AIDA64
• Review and validate any existing CSV logging configurations for suspicious content

Patch Information

Users should upgrade to a patched version of AIDA64 Engineer by downloading the latest release from the AIDA64 official website. Consult the VulnCheck AIDA Buffer Overflow Advisory for additional details on affected versions and remediation guidance.

Workarounds

• Disable CSV logging functionality if not required for operational needs
• Run AIDA64 Engineer in a sandboxed or virtualized environment to contain potential exploitation
• Implement strict file access controls to prevent modification of AIDA64 configuration files by unprivileged users
• Enable Data Execution Prevention (DEP) and Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) system-wide to make exploitation more difficult

# Enable DEP for all applications (Windows PowerShell as Administrator)
bcdedit /set nx AlwaysOn

# Verify DEP status
Get-ProcessMitigation -System