CVE-2009-0197 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the FORMATS Plugin before 4.23 for IrfanView allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a large XPM file that triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0197 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the FORMATS Plugin of IrfanView software version 4.22 and earlier. This issue specifically affects the handling of XPM image files, which are a type of bitmap image format commonly used in Unix environments. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and arithmetic overflow handling when processing malformed XPM files, creating a pathway for remote attackers to exploit the application's memory management mechanisms. The flaw exists in the plugin architecture that processes various image formats, making it particularly dangerous as it leverages the software's legitimate image processing capabilities to execute malicious code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves an integer overflow condition that occurs during the parsing of XPM file headers and dimensions. When the FORMATS Plugin encounters an XPM file with deliberately crafted large dimension values, the integer arithmetic operations overflow beyond the maximum representable value for the data type used in the processing loop. This overflow results in a heap-based buffer overflow condition where the application attempts to allocate memory using a corrupted size value. The resulting buffer overflow allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or application crash. This type of vulnerability is classified under CWE-190 as an integer overflow or wraparound, specifically manifesting as a heap-based buffer overflow through improper input handling.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass full remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can construct malicious XPM files with oversized dimensions that trigger the integer overflow, causing the application to allocate insufficient memory for the buffer operations. When the application attempts to process these malformed files, the corrupted memory allocation leads to unpredictable behavior including memory corruption, stack smashing, or controlled overwrite of critical program variables. The vulnerability affects the core image processing functionality of IrfanView, which is widely used across various platforms and environments, making the potential attack surface extensive. This issue directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and control through application execution, and T1203 for exploitation of software vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0197 require immediate patch application to upgrade IrfanView to version 4.23 or later, which includes proper integer overflow checks and input validation for XPM file processing. System administrators should implement network-based restrictions to prevent untrusted users from uploading or accessing XPM files through IrfanView applications, particularly in shared or public environments. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper integer arithmetic handling in security-critical applications and highlights the need for robust input validation mechanisms. Additional defensive measures include implementing memory protection features such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention to limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing file type restrictions and content inspection for image files to prevent potentially malicious XPM files from reaching vulnerable applications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper memory management in image processing libraries and the necessity of thorough input validation in multimedia applications that handle user-supplied data.