CVE-2006-4231 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE
IrfanView 3.98 (with plugins) allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted CUR image file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4231 affects IrfanView version 3.98 when used with plugins, presenting a significant denial of service risk that can be exploited remotely through maliciously crafted CUR image files. This issue represents a classic buffer overflow or memory corruption vulnerability that occurs during the processing of cursor image formats, which are commonly used for mouse pointers and icons in graphical user interfaces. The flaw exists within the image parsing functionality of the software, specifically when handling CUR format files that contain malformed or oversized data structures. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be triggered without user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making them ideal for remote exploitation in various attack scenarios.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within IrfanView's CUR image handling routines. When the application attempts to parse a malformed CUR file, it fails to properly validate the file structure or limit memory allocation, leading to buffer overflows or memory corruption that ultimately results in application crash or complete system instability. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes violations in the handling of data buffers where insufficient checks allow attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no special privileges or user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can deliver the crafted CUR file to a target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks when combined with other exploit techniques. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to disrupt services, cause system downtime, or potentially use it as a stepping stone for more advanced exploitation attempts. The remote nature of the attack means that victims could be compromised simply by visiting a malicious website, opening an email attachment, or downloading a file from an untrusted source. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where IrfanView is used for image processing, such as in digital asset management systems, web applications, or any scenario where users might encounter untrusted image files. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499, which covers network denial of service attacks that can be executed through various means including file-based exploits.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of IrfanView to a version that properly validates CUR image files and implements appropriate memory management controls. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious files, while employing content filtering solutions that can detect and block suspicious image files. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running vulnerable versions of IrfanView, with proper incident response procedures established to handle potential exploitation attempts. The fix should implement proper bounds checking, memory allocation limits, and input validation to prevent the buffer overflow conditions that lead to application crashes, ensuring that the software can gracefully handle malformed input without compromising system stability or security.