CVE-2007-2209 in ImageGear
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in igcore15d.dll 15.1.2.0 and 15.2.0.0 for AccuSoft ImageGear, as used in Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo 11.20 and possibly other products, allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .CLP file. NOTE: some details were obtained from third party sources.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2209 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in the igcore15d.dll component version 15.1.2.0 and 15.2.0.0 of AccuSoft ImageGear library. This library serves as a core imaging component within Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo version 11.20 and potentially other software products that utilize this imaging framework. The flaw manifests specifically when processing maliciously crafted .CLP files, which are Corel Paint Shop Pro's native image format. The vulnerability operates through a user-assisted remote attack vector, meaning that an attacker must convince a user to open a specially crafted file, but the execution of malicious code occurs without requiring user interaction beyond the initial file opening. This characteristic places the vulnerability in the category of privilege escalation attacks that leverage social engineering techniques to achieve code execution. The buffer overflow occurs within the image processing pipeline of the software, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations in the application's memory space. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which represents a well-known and dangerous class of memory corruption vulnerabilities that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of image data structures within the CLP file format parser. When the vulnerable software attempts to parse an oversized or malformed CLP file, the parsing routine fails to validate the size of data structures before copying data into fixed-size buffers. This allows an attacker to craft a CLP file containing oversized data fields that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing a stack overflow condition. The overflow corrupts the stack frame, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite the return address of the function and redirect execution flow to malicious code. The specific nature of the vulnerability makes it particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through email attachments, web downloads, or other delivery mechanisms where users might encounter and open the malicious files. The impact of successful exploitation includes complete system compromise, as the attacker gains the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, typically running with user-level permissions but potentially escalating to higher privileges depending on the system configuration. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically through the execution of malicious code via compromised applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2209 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential data loss, system instability, and broader security compromise within affected environments. Organizations using Corel Paint Shop Pro Photo 11.20 or other products incorporating the vulnerable AccuSoft ImageGear library face significant risk exposure, particularly in environments where users frequently handle external image files or receive email attachments from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can potentially compromise systems without requiring physical access or direct network connectivity to the target machine. Security professionals must consider this vulnerability as part of broader attack surface management strategies, particularly in environments where legacy software remains in use. The vulnerability demonstrates the persistent challenges in software security, where older components and libraries continue to pose risks even after the original software has been updated or replaced. Organizations should implement network segmentation and user education programs to mitigate the risk of exploitation, while also considering immediate patching strategies if updates are available. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of software supply chain security, as third-party components like AccuSoft ImageGear can introduce vulnerabilities that affect multiple products within the ecosystem. The exploitation of such vulnerabilities often requires minimal technical skill from attackers, making them particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where user behavior can be unpredictable. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs to identify and remediate similar issues in legacy software components.