CVE-2007-1764 in Image Viewer
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in FastStone Image Viewer 2.8 allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted JPG image.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/10/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-1764 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within FastStone Image Viewer version 2.8 that exposes systems to remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes maliciously crafted jpeg image files, creating a dangerous condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations on the program's stack. The flaw stems from insufficient bounds checking during the image parsing process, allowing an attacker to craft a specially formatted jpeg file that triggers the overflow when the viewer attempts to decode and display the image.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability operates through a classic stack buffer overflow exploitation pattern where the application allocates a fixed-size buffer on the stack to store image data during parsing operations. When the malicious jpeg file contains oversized or malformed data structures that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries, the excess data overflows into adjacent stack memory regions, potentially corrupting return addresses and other critical program state information. This memory corruption enables attackers to redirect program execution flow and inject malicious code that executes with the privileges of the vulnerable application process, typically resulting in arbitrary code execution on the target system.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for organizations relying on FastStone Image Viewer for image processing tasks, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted image files from external sources or web applications. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that victims must open the malicious image file for exploitation to occur, making social engineering and phishing campaigns effective delivery mechanisms. The vulnerability affects systems where the viewer is set as the default application for handling jpeg files, expanding the potential attack surface significantly. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability that directly enables privilege escalation and persistent system compromise.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK framework techniques including T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as attackers can leverage the compromised viewer application to execute malicious payloads. Organizations should consider implementing multiple layers of defense including application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of vulnerable applications, regular security updates and patches, and network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious image file patterns. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of avoiding untrusted image files and maintaining updated software versions to mitigate exposure to this and similar vulnerabilities that have been prevalent in image processing applications throughout the years.