CVE-2011-5233 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in IrfanView before 4.32 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted "Rows Per Strip" and "Samples Per Pixel" values in a TIFF image file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-5233 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw affecting IrfanView versions prior to 4.32. This vulnerability specifically targets the image processing functionality of the popular lightweight image viewer and editor software, creating a remote code execution vector through maliciously crafted TIFF image files. The flaw resides in how IrfanView handles the parsing of TIFF metadata, particularly the "Rows Per Strip" and "Samples Per Pixel" parameters that define the structure and dimensions of image data segments within TIFF format files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves improper bounds checking during the parsing of TIFF image headers and metadata fields. When IrfanView encounters a TIFF file containing crafted values for "Rows Per Strip" and "Samples Per Pixel", the application fails to validate the input parameters against expected ranges and memory allocation boundaries. This oversight allows attackers to manipulate the heap memory layout through carefully constructed image data that causes integer overflow conditions during memory allocation calculations. The resulting buffer overflow occurs when the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated heap buffer boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory segments including function pointers, return addresses, or other critical control structures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to users who may unknowingly open maliciously crafted TIFF files, particularly through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can deliver malicious payloads without requiring local system access, making this vector particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users frequently handle external image files. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1203 technique for exploitation of remote services. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable privilege escalation scenarios, especially when IrfanView is run with elevated privileges or in automated processing environments.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2011-5233 primarily involves immediate patching of IrfanView installations to version 4.32 or later, which contains the necessary memory validation fixes and bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive software update policies that prioritize security patches, particularly for widely used applications like image viewers that process untrusted content. Network-based mitigations including content filtering and sandboxing of image file handling processes can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Security teams should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning to identify systems running vulnerable versions of IrfanView, as well as monitoring for suspicious file handling activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation in image processing libraries and the critical need for regular security updates in applications that handle untrusted binary data formats.