CVE-2010-1509 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE
IrfanView before 4.27 does not properly handle an unspecified integer variable during processing of PSD images, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted image file that triggers a heap-based buffer overflow, related to a "sign-extension error."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1509 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw in IrfanView version 4.27 and earlier, specifically manifesting during the processing of Photoshop Document (PSD) image files. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of an unspecified integer variable within the image parsing logic, creating a condition where maliciously crafted PSD files can trigger unexpected behavior in the application's memory management. The flaw constitutes a classic sign-extension error where a signed integer value is improperly converted to an unsigned value, leading to incorrect buffer size calculations. Such errors commonly occur when developers fail to properly validate integer ranges or when type conversions are not carefully managed during image format processing. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely through web-based attacks or file sharing mechanisms, allowing attackers to either crash the application completely or potentially execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of a heap-based buffer overflow condition that occurs when IrfanView attempts to parse PSD files containing specially crafted integer values. During the image processing routine, the application reads header information from the PSD file and uses these values to determine buffer allocation sizes for subsequent data processing. When a sign-extension error occurs, the integer variable's value is incorrectly interpreted, resulting in a buffer size calculation that exceeds the allocated memory space. This misalignment creates a writable memory region that can be overwritten with malicious data, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute code within the application's memory space. The vulnerability's classification as a heap-based buffer overflow aligns with CWE-121, which specifically addresses heap-based buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient bounds checking is performed on heap-allocated memory regions.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-1509 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it presents a significant attack surface for remote code execution. When exploited, this vulnerability allows attackers to compromise systems running vulnerable versions of IrfanView, particularly in environments where users frequently open image files from untrusted sources. The attack vector is particularly dangerous in web environments where users may inadvertently download and open malicious PSD files through browser-based image galleries or email attachments. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete system compromise, as successful execution of arbitrary code within the context of the IrfanView process provides attackers with elevated privileges and potential access to sensitive system resources. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors targeting users of image viewing applications, especially in corporate or educational environments where such software is commonly deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-1509 primarily focus on immediate software updates and defensive configuration measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to IrfanView version 4.27 or later, which includes patches specifically addressing the integer handling and buffer overflow conditions in PSD file processing. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all vulnerable systems receive updates promptly, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted image files. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict file type validation, disabling automatic image preview for potentially malicious file types, and configuring web applications to sanitize image uploads through proper content validation. Network-based defenses can leverage intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious image file patterns and implement web application firewalls to filter potentially malicious PSD files. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation, underscores the importance of maintaining current software versions and implementing layered security controls to prevent exploitation of such memory corruption vulnerabilities.