CVE-2007-1245 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE
IrfanView 3.99 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a malformed WMF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/25/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1245 affects IrfanView version 3.99, a popular image viewing and editing application for Windows platforms. This issue represents a classic denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers through the manipulation of Windows Metafile format files. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes malformed WMF files, causing the software to crash and become unavailable to legitimate users. Such vulnerabilities are particularly concerning in environments where image processing applications are frequently used for document handling, image sharing, or multimedia content management.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient input validation and error handling mechanisms within IrfanView's WMF file processing module. When the application encounters a malformed WMF file, it fails to properly sanitize or reject the corrupted input, leading to memory corruption or unexpected execution paths that ultimately result in application termination. This behavior aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers buffer overflow vulnerabilities in heap-based memory structures. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the application does not implement adequate boundary checks or input sanitization before processing potentially malicious file formats.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on IrfanView for image processing tasks. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness by sending specially crafted WMF files to users, potentially causing disruption in document workflows, image sharing platforms, or collaborative environments where the application is actively used. The impact extends beyond simple application unavailability to potential business disruption, as users may experience unexpected system interruptions during critical image processing operations. The vulnerability also represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks, as the application crash could be used as a precursor to additional exploitation attempts or as part of a broader attack strategy.
The security implications of CVE-2007-1245 align with several ATT&CK framework techniques, particularly those related to initial access and privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish a foothold through social engineering or automated scanning of systems for vulnerable applications. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper input validation as outlined in the OWASP Top Ten security principles. Organizations should implement multiple layers of defense including application whitelisting, file type validation, and network-based filtering to prevent exploitation. Additionally, regular security updates and patch management processes are essential to address such vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in the wild. System administrators should consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual application behavior or crash patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and the potential consequences of legacy software in modern threat environments.