CVE-2007-2194 in XnView
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in XnView 1.90.3 allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted XPM file with a long section string. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2194 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in XnView version 1.90.3 that enables remote code execution through maliciously crafted XPM image files. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the program's stack. The specific trigger occurs when the application processes an XPM file containing an excessively long section string that exceeds the allocated buffer space, creating a condition where arbitrary data can be written beyond the intended memory boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the application's failure to validate input lengths during XPM file parsing operations. XPM (X PixMap) is a simple image format that stores image data in ASCII text format, making it susceptible to manipulation through carefully crafted section strings that contain excessive character sequences. When the vulnerable XnView application attempts to parse such malformed input, the stack memory layout becomes corrupted, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data structures. This type of memory corruption directly aligns with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute malicious code on systems running the vulnerable XnView version. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that victims must open or process the malicious XPM file, typically through a web browser or file manager, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently handle untrusted image files. Attackers could potentially deliver these malicious files through compromised websites, email attachments, or file sharing platforms, exploiting the trust users place in image viewing applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and bounds checking in image processing libraries, as similar issues have been identified in other graphics libraries and image viewers across various operating systems and platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2194 should focus on immediate patching of the vulnerable XnView application to version 1.91 or later, where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and file type filtering to prevent the delivery of potentially malicious XPM files to end users. Additionally, security awareness training for personnel handling image files and regular vulnerability assessments of image processing applications should be conducted to identify similar flaws in other software components. The remediation process should also include monitoring for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems that can identify suspicious file processing activities. Given the age of this vulnerability, system administrators should consider implementing additional layers of defense including sandboxing image processing operations and restricting user access to potentially dangerous file formats through group policy configurations or similar access control mechanisms.