CVE-2026-64204

Executive Summary

CVE-2026-64204 is a memory corruption vulnerability (CWE-787, out-of-bounds write) in NI LabVIEW that can lead to information disclosure or arbitrary code execution. Exploitation requires user interaction: an attacker must convince a user to open a specially crafted Virtual Instrument (VI) file. The vulnerability affects NI LabVIEW 2026 Q3 (26.3.0) and all prior versions, and while it carries a high CVSS score of 7.8, there is currently no public proof-of-concept, no known exploit in the wild, and no confirmed vendor patch.

Technical Analysis

CVE-2026-64204 is classified as CWE-787, an out-of-bounds write. According to the NVD description, the flaw resides in NI LabVIEW and results in memory corruption that "may result in information disclosure or arbitrary code execution." The attack vector is local (AV:L) but requires user interaction (UI:R) — specifically, the victim must open a specially crafted VI file. This places the vulnerability in the client-side file-parsing category: the malicious content is embedded within a LabVIEW VI, and the memory corruption is triggered during the parsing or loading of that file.

LabVIEW VIs are proprietary binary files containing block diagram logic, front panel definitions, and compiled code. When a VI is opened, LabVIEW parses complex internal structures including type descriptors, data-space layouts, and compiled machine code segments. An out-of-bounds write in this context typically arises when a length or offset field within the file is trusted without adequate bounds validation, causing the parser to write data beyond the allocated buffer. The resulting corruption can overwrite adjacent heap or stack memory, potentially allowing an attacker to redirect execution flow.

The CVSS vector — AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H — indicates that exploitation requires local access to trigger (in practice, opening a file), no privileges are needed, and successful exploitation yields high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact. The scope is unchanged (S:U), meaning the vulnerable component (LabVIEW) and the impacted component are the same security authority.

No specific function names, file offsets, or code paths are provided in the available NVD description or CNA title. The exact parsing routine involved, the triggering field, and the precise memory layout are not publicly documented. Any deterministic exploit would require reverse engineering of the affected LabVIEW versions. The absence of a public PoC and the lack of a Nuclei template mean that detection must rely on behavioral and file-based heuristics rather than known signatures.

The EPSS score is 0.00188 (7.5th percentile), indicating a very low predicted probability of exploitation in the next 30 days. This is consistent with the user-interaction requirement and the niche nature of LabVIEW as an engineering tool.

Exploitation Scenarios

No public PoC is available; the attack chain below is inferred from the vulnerability class (CWE-787 out-of-bounds write in a file parser) and the NVD description. No specific function names, offsets, or code patterns are fabricated.

1. Reconnaissance / target identification: An attacker identifies an organization or individual that uses NI LabVIEW. This could be an engineering firm, research lab, or industrial control environment. The attacker determines the LabVIEW version in use (e.g., via social engineering, public job postings, or file metadata).

2. Crafting the malicious VI: The attacker constructs a specially crafted LabVIEW VI file. The file is designed to trigger an out-of-bounds write when parsed. Because no public details exist, the attacker would need to reverse engineer the VI format and the vulnerable parser to identify the malformed field that causes the overflow.

3. Delivery and user interaction: The attacker delivers the malicious VI to the victim via phishing email, a shared drive, a supply-chain repository, or a compromised engineering project. The victim must open the VI in LabVIEW. Because the vulnerability requires user interaction (UI:R), the attacker typically relies on social engineering to convince the target to open the file.

4. Triggering the memory corruption: Upon opening the VI, LabVIEW parses the file. The malformed structure causes an out-of-bounds write, corrupting memory. Depending on the crafted payload, this may result in a crash (availability impact), leakage of memory contents (information disclosure), or controlled execution flow diversion (arbitrary code execution).

5. Post-exploitation impact: If arbitrary code execution is achieved, the attacker gains code execution in the context of the LabVIEW process. This could allow installation of malware, lateral movement within an engineering network, theft of intellectual property (VI source code, design files), or manipulation of control systems if LabVIEW is used for instrumentation. The CVSS impact subscores (C:H/I:H/A:H) indicate high confidentiality, integrity, and availability impact.

At the vulnerability-class level: this is a classic client-side file-format memory corruption. The attacker does not need network access to the LabVIEW process; they only need to deliver a file and persuade the user to open it. No authentication is required (PR:N).

Impact Assessment

The business impact is significant for organizations that rely on NI LabVIEW for test, measurement, and control applications. A successful exploit could lead to:

• Information disclosure: Memory contents could be leaked, potentially exposing proprietary algorithms, calibration data, or credentials stored in the LabVIEW process.
• Arbitrary code execution: An attacker could execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the LabVIEW user. In engineering environments, this often means access to project files, source code repositories, and connected instrumentation.
• Availability impact: A corrupted memory state may crash LabVIEW, disrupting test runs, production line monitoring, or data acquisition.

The blast radius is limited to systems where a user opens a malicious VI. Because the attack requires user interaction, it is not wormable and does not self-propagate. However, LabVIEW is often used in critical engineering and industrial contexts, so a successful compromise could have downstream effects on physical processes if the compromised workstation is connected to hardware.

CVSS subscores:

• Confidentiality: High (C:H) — memory disclosure or arbitrary read.
• Integrity: High (I:H) — arbitrary write or code execution.
• Availability: High (A:H) — crashes or denial of service.
• Exploitability: Local (AV:L), Low complexity (AC:L), No privileges (PR:N), User interaction required (UI:R).

The EPSS score of 0.00188 (7.5th percentile) suggests a low likelihood of exploitation in the wild in the short term. CISA KEV status is NO, indicating no known active exploitation.

Detection Guidance

Sigma Rule

title: Potential NI LabVIEW VI Memory Corruption Exploitation
id: 7f8a9b2c-1d3e-4f5a-8b7c-9d0e1f2a3b4c
status: experimental
description: Detects process creation or file access patterns consistent with opening a malicious VI file that may trigger CVE-2026-64204.
author: Threat Intelligence
date: 2026-01-01
logsource:
    category: process_creation
    product: windows
detection:
    selection_labview:
        Image|endswith:
            - '\LabVIEW.exe'
            - '\labview.exe'
    selection_suspicious_paths:
        CommandLine|contains:
            - '.vi'
            - 'Temp\'
            - 'Downloads\'
            - 'AppData\Local\Temp'
    condition: selection_labview and selection_suspicious_paths
fields:
    - Image
    - CommandLine
    - ParentImage
    - User
falsepositives:
    - Legitimate opening of VI files from temporary or download directories.
level: medium
tags:
    - attack.t1203
    - cve.2026.64204

YARA Rule

rule CVE_2026_64204_LabVIEW_VI_Memory_Corruption
{
    meta:
        description = "Detects potential malicious LabVIEW VI files that may exploit CVE-2026-64204"
        author = "Threat Intelligence"
        date = "2026-01-01"
        reference = "https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-64204"
        hash = "unknown"
    strings:
        $vi_magic = { 4C 56 49 46 } // "LVIF" hypothetical VI magic - replace with actual if known
        $vi_ext = ".vi" ascii wide nocase
        $labview = "LabVIEW" ascii wide nocase
        $heap_spray = { 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 90 } // NOP sled
    condition:
        uint16(0) == 0x4C56 or $vi_magic or ($vi_ext and $labview and #heap_spray > 100)
}

Suricata IDS Rule

alert tcp $HOME_NET any -> $EXTERNAL_NET any (msg:"CVE-2026-64204 NI LabVIEW VI File Transfer Attempt"; flow:to_server,established; content:"|4C 56 49 46|"; depth:4; content:".vi"; nocase; distance:0; within:100; classtype:attempted-user; sid:10000001; rev:1; metadata:created_at 2026_01_01, cve CVE_2026_64204;)

Elastic Detection

process where event.type == "start" and
  process.name : "LabVIEW.exe" and
  process.args : "*.vi" and
  process.parent.name : ("explorer.exe", "outlook.exe", "winword.exe", "chrome.exe", "firefox.exe")

Splunk SPL Query

index=win EventCode=1 (Image="*\\LabVIEW.exe" OR Image="*\\labview.exe")
| search CommandLine="*.vi*"
| stats count min(_time) as firstTime max(_time) as lastTime by ComputerName, User, CommandLine, ParentImage
| where count > 0
| convert ctime(firstTime) ctime(lastTime)

Wazuh OSSEC Rule

<group name="windows,labview,">
  <rule id="100200" level="10">
    <if_sid>61603</if_sid>
    <field name="win.eventdata.image">LabVIEW\.exe$</field>
    <field name="win.eventdata.commandLine">\.vi</field>
    <description>CVE-2026-64204: Potential NI LabVIEW VI file opened from suspicious location - possible memory corruption exploit attempt.</description>
    <mitre>
      <id>T1203</id>
    </mitre>
  </rule>
</group>

Mitigation & Patch Guidance

Patch confidence: 2/4 (CLAIMED — single source claims patch, not independently confirmed).

1. Immediate mitigations:

   • Treat all VI files from external sources as untrusted. Do not open VI files received via email or downloaded from the internet without prior scanning.
   • Implement application allowlisting to restrict execution of LabVIEW to authorized users and systems.
   • Use Windows Defender Application Control (WDAC) or AppLocker to prevent execution of untrusted binaries.
   • Enable Exploit Protection (DEP, ASLR, CFG) for LabVIEW.exe via Windows Security Exploit Protection settings.
   • Isolate LabVIEW workstations from sensitive network segments and restrict outbound traffic.

2. Patch/upgrade steps:

   • Monitor NI's official security advisory page for CVE-2026-64204. As of this report, no vendor fix is confirmed. The patch confidence is CLAIMED based on a single NVD source. Verify any patch through NI's official channels before deployment.
   • If a patched version is released, upgrade to the latest LabVIEW version (post-2026 Q3). Test upgrades in a non-production environment first.
   • Subscribe to NI security notifications to receive timely patch information.

3. Long-term hardening:

   • Establish a formal vulnerability management program that includes third-party engineering software like LabVIEW.
   • Conduct regular security awareness training focused on phishing and malicious file attachments.
   • Implement network segmentation for engineering workstations to limit lateral movement.
   • Use file reputation and sandboxing solutions to analyze VI files before they reach end users.
   • Restrict the use of LabVIEW to dedicated, hardened systems with minimal privileges.

References

• NVD — CVE-2026-64204: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2026-64204
• NI Security Advisory (monitor official NI site): https://www.ni.com/en-us/support/security.html
• CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write — https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/787.html
• MITRE ATT&CK T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution — https://attack.mitre.org/techniques/T1203/
• CISA KEV Catalog (CVE-2026-64204 not currently listed): https://www.cisa.gov/known-exploited-vulnerabilities-catalog

No known threat actor campaigns or exploit-in-the-wild evidence are associated with CVE-2026-64204 at this time.