CVE-2007-6007 in ACDSee
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the ID_PSP.apl plug-in for ACD ACDSee Photo Manager 9.0 build 108, Pro Photo Manager 8.1 build 99, and Photo Editor 4.0 build 195 allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted PSP image that triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6007 represents a critical integer overflow condition within the ID_PSP.apl plug-in component of several ACD Systems photo management applications including ACDSee Photo Manager 9.0 build 108, Pro Photo Manager 8.1 build 99, and Photo Editor 4.0 build 195. This flaw exists in the processing logic for PSP image files and demonstrates a classic software security weakness that can be exploited to achieve arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of image metadata and file parsing operations within the plug-in architecture that extends the functionality of these photo management applications. The integer overflow occurs during the calculation of buffer sizes or memory allocation parameters when processing specially crafted PSP image files, creating a scenario where the application attempts to allocate memory that exceeds the maximum allowable size for heap-based buffers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and boundary checking within the ID_PSP.apl plug-in module. When a maliciously crafted PSP image file is processed by the affected applications, the plug-in fails to properly validate the size parameters contained within the image header or metadata structures. This oversight allows an attacker to manipulate integer values in such a way that when these values are used to calculate buffer sizes or memory allocation requests, they overflow and wrap around to extremely small values. The resulting heap-based buffer overflow creates exploitable memory corruption conditions that can be leveraged by remote attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the running application. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow and underflow conditions, and demonstrates the dangerous intersection of improper integer handling with memory management operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-6007 extends beyond simple application instability to represent a significant security risk for users of the affected ACD Systems products. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by simply enticing a user to open a crafted PSP image file through the vulnerable applications, making the attack vector particularly dangerous in email attachment scenarios or web-based image sharing environments. The successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected user. This vulnerability represents a user-assisted remote code execution flaw that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, and demonstrates how desktop application vulnerabilities can serve as entry points for broader network compromise. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it particularly effective for social engineering campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6007 should focus on immediate application patching and configuration hardening measures. Users should immediately update to the latest versions of ACDSee Photo Manager, Pro Photo Manager, and Photo Editor that contain fixes for this vulnerability, as ACD Systems would have released patches addressing the integer overflow conditions in their plug-in modules. System administrators should implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted image files and consider disabling the ID_PSP.apl plug-in if it is not essential for business operations. Network-level protections such as content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional defense in depth. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and integer overflow prevention techniques in software development, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing including fuzzing and boundary condition analysis. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify other potential integer overflow conditions in legacy applications that may be susceptible to similar exploitation patterns.