📄 Description (English)
FlexHEX 2.71 contains a local buffer overflow vulnerability in the Stream Name field that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code by triggering a structured exception handler (SEH) overflow. Attackers can craft a malicious text file with carefully aligned shellcode and SEH chain pointers, paste the contents into the Stream Name dialog, and execute arbitrary commands like calc.exe when the exception handler is triggered.
🤖 AI Executive Summary
CVE-2019-25627 is a local buffer overflow vulnerability in FlexHEX 2.71 affecting the Stream Name field, allowing authenticated local attackers to execute arbitrary code through SEH overflow exploitation. With a CVSS score of 8.4 and no available patch, this poses a significant risk to organizations using this hex editor for sensitive data analysis. The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction but provides complete code execution capabilities.
📄 Description (Arabic)
🤖 AI Intelligence Analysis Analyzed: Apr 24, 2026 11:49
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia Impact Assessment
This vulnerability primarily impacts Saudi government agencies, financial institutions, and cybersecurity firms that utilize FlexHEX for forensic analysis, malware analysis, and sensitive data examination. High-risk sectors include: (1) SAMA-regulated banking institutions conducting security analysis, (2) NCA and government cybersecurity teams performing threat analysis, (3) Healthcare organizations analyzing encrypted medical records, (4) ARAMCO and energy sector IT security teams. The local-only nature limits exposure but poses critical risk in shared workstations or when combined with privilege escalation vulnerabilities.
🏢 Affected Saudi Sectors
Government and Public Administration
Banking and Financial Services
Cybersecurity and Threat Analysis
Healthcare
Energy and Oil & Gas
Telecommunications
🎯 MITRE ATT&CK Techniques
⚖️ Saudi Risk Score (AI)
7.2
/ 10.0
🔧 Remediation Steps (English)
Immediate Actions:
1. Identify all systems running FlexHEX 2.71 and document inventory
2. Restrict local access to FlexHEX to trusted administrators only
3. Disable or remove FlexHEX if not actively required for operations
4. Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution
Compensating Controls:
1. Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for SEH exploitation patterns
2. Implement strict file integrity monitoring on Stream Name dialog interactions
3. Use Windows Data Execution Prevention (DEP) and Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) to mitigate exploitation
4. Monitor for suspicious process creation from FlexHEX (calc.exe, cmd.exe, powershell.exe)
5. Restrict user privileges to prevent privilege escalation post-exploitation
Detection Rules:
1. Monitor for FlexHEX.exe spawning child processes (cmd.exe, powershell.exe, calc.exe)
2. Alert on SEH chain manipulation attempts in memory
3. Track unusual file access patterns from FlexHEX process
4. Monitor for crafted text files with shellcode patterns being opened in FlexHEX
Long-term:
1. Migrate to patched alternatives (HxD, 010 Editor, or other maintained hex editors)
2. Contact vendor for security updates or end-of-life timeline
3. Implement application sandboxing for legacy tools
🔧 خطوات المعالجة (العربية)
الإجراءات الفورية:
1. تحديد جميع الأنظمة التي تعمل بـ FlexHEX 2.71 وتوثيق المخزون
2. تقييد الوصول المحلي إلى FlexHEX للمسؤولين الموثوقين فقط
3. تعطيل أو إزالة FlexHEX إذا لم تكن مطلوبة بنشاط للعمليات
4. تنفيذ القائمة البيضاء للتطبيقات لمنع التنفيذ غير المصرح به
الضوابط التعويضية:
1. نشر حلول الكشف والاستجابة على نقاط النهاية (EDR) لمراقبة أنماط استغلال SEH
2. تنفيذ مراقبة سلامة الملفات الصارمة على تفاعلات حوار اسم البث
3. استخدام Windows Data Execution Prevention (DEP) و Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR)
4. مراقبة إنشاء العمليات المريبة من FlexHEX (calc.exe, cmd.exe, powershell.exe)
5. تقييد امتيازات المستخدم لمنع تصعيد الامتيازات بعد الاستغلال
قواعد الكشف:
1. مراقبة FlexHEX.exe لإنشاء عمليات فرعية
2. تنبيهات على محاولات معالجة سلسلة SEH في الذاكرة
3. تتبع أنماط الوصول غير العادية من عملية FlexHEX
4. مراقبة فتح ملفات نصية مصنوعة بأنماط shellcode في FlexHEX
المدى الطويل:
1. الهجرة إلى بدائل مصححة (HxD, 010 Editor, أو محررات سادس عشر أخرى مدعومة)
2. الاتصال بالبائع للحصول على تحديثات الأمان
3. تنفيذ عزل التطبيقات للأدوات القديمة
📋 Regulatory Compliance Mapping
🟢 NCA ECC 2024
A.5.1.1 - Information Security Policies and Procedures
A.6.1.1 - Organization of Information Security
A.12.2.1 - Controls Against Malware
A.12.6.1 - Management of Technical Vulnerabilities
A.14.2.1 - Secure Development Policy
🔵 SAMA CSF
ID.AM-2 - Software Inventory
PR.IP-12 - Vulnerability Management
DE.CM-8 - Vulnerability Scans
RS.MI-2 - Incident Response and Management
🟡 ISO 27001:2022
A.12.6.1 - Management of technical vulnerabilities
A.14.2.1 - Secure development policy and procedures
A.12.2.1 - Controls against malware
A.5.1.1 - Information security policies
🔗 References & Sources 4
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http://www.flexhex.com
disclosure@vulncheck.com
http://www.flexhex.com/download/flexhex_setup.exe
disclosure@vulncheck.com
https://www.exploit-db.com/exploits/46665
disclosure@vulncheck.com
https://www.vulncheck.com/advisories/flexhex-local-buffer-overflow-via-seh-unicode
disclosure@vulncheck.com