CVE-2008-0715 in Photo Manager
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in ACDSee Photo Manager 8.1, 9.0, and 10.0 allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed XBM file. NOTE: this might be the same as CVE-2007-6009.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0715 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting ACDSee Photo Manager versions 8.1, 9.0, and 10.0. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation within the application's handling of XBM image files, creating a pathway for malicious actors to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The flaw operates through a user-assisted remote attack vector, meaning that an attacker must convince a user to open a specially crafted malicious XBM file, but once triggered, the vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise. The buffer overflow occurs when the application processes malformed XBM file structures without proper bounds checking, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious code.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory. This particular flaw demonstrates how image processing applications can become attack surfaces when they fail to validate file formats properly. The XBM format, being a bitmap image format, is processed by ACDSee Photo Manager in a manner that does not adequately sanitize input data, creating a predictable memory corruption scenario. Attackers can craft XBM files with oversized data fields or malformed headers that cause the application to write beyond allocated buffer boundaries, potentially overwriting critical program execution structures such as return addresses or function pointers.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to end-user systems and enterprise environments where ACDSee Photo Manager is deployed. The user-assisted nature of the attack means that social engineering tactics may be required to deliver the malicious payload, but once executed, the consequences can be severe including complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent backdoor installation. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the software, amplifying its potential impact across different deployment scenarios. Security professionals must consider that users may inadvertently encounter malicious XBM files through email attachments, web downloads, or removable media, making this a particularly concerning threat vector for organizations without robust endpoint protection measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0715 should focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by ACDSee vendor, as well as network-level defenses to prevent the delivery of malicious XBM files. Organizations should implement strict file type validation and content scanning mechanisms for image files, particularly those originating from untrusted sources. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain initial access, and T1059, which covers command and control through application layer protocols. Network administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of vulnerable software or its associated file handlers. Additionally, regular security awareness training for end users helps reduce the risk of successful social engineering attacks that leverage this vulnerability, as users need to understand the dangers of opening untrusted image files from unknown sources.