CVE-2012-0025 in FlashPix PlugIn
Summary
by MITRE
Double free vulnerability in the Free_All_Memory function in jpeg/dectile.c in libfpx before 1.3.1-1, as used in the FlashPix PlugIn 4.2.2.0 for IrfanView, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted FPX image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0025 represents a critical double free condition within the Free_All_Memory function of the libfpx library version prior to 1.3.1-1. This flaw specifically resides in the jpeg/dectile.c source file and affects the FlashPix PlugIn 4.2.2.0 for IrfanView, creating a remote code execution and denial of service vector through maliciously crafted FPX image files. The double free vulnerability occurs when the same memory block is deallocated twice, leading to unpredictable behavior in the application's memory management system. When an attacker crafts a specially designed FPX image file, the vulnerability is triggered during the image processing routine, causing the application to crash or potentially execute arbitrary code depending on the memory corruption state. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-415, which specifically addresses double free conditions in memory management, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities through crafted input files. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service as it can potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges or execute malicious code within the context of the vulnerable application.
The technical exploitation of this double free vulnerability requires an attacker to prepare a malicious FPX image file that, when processed by the vulnerable FlashPix PlugIn, triggers the Free_All_Memory function in the jpeg/dectile.c module. During normal operation, the function should properly release allocated memory blocks, but due to the flawed implementation, the same memory block gets freed twice, corrupting the heap structure and potentially allowing attackers to manipulate memory pointers. The vulnerability manifests when the application attempts to process the crafted FPX file, causing the memory management system to behave erratically. The specific nature of this flaw means that the application crashes immediately upon encountering the malformed input, resulting in a denial of service condition. However, the underlying memory corruption could potentially be exploited further if the attacker can control the memory layout and manipulate the heap to achieve arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's presence in the libfpx library version prior to 1.3.1-1 indicates a lack of proper memory management validation within the library's cleanup routines, where the Free_All_Memory function fails to track previously freed memory blocks correctly.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0025 is significant for users of IrfanView with the affected FlashPix PlugIn, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited remotely without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond opening the malicious file. This vulnerability affects not only individual users but also organizations that rely on IrfanView for image processing tasks, as it could be leveraged in targeted attacks or mass deployment scenarios. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can distribute malicious FPX files through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments. The vulnerability's classification as a denial of service vector means that even successful exploitation results in service disruption, but the potential for code execution makes it a more serious concern. Organizations using affected versions of IrfanView must consider the implications of this vulnerability in their security posture, particularly in environments where image processing is a common activity or where users may encounter untrusted image files from external sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0025 require immediate action to update the vulnerable libfpx library to version 1.3.1-1 or later, which includes proper memory management fixes that prevent the double free condition. System administrators should prioritize patching affected IrfanView installations and verify that all instances of the FlashPix PlugIn are updated to prevent exploitation. Additionally, organizations should implement input validation measures that filter or reject FPX files from untrusted sources, particularly in environments where users may encounter potentially malicious files. The vulnerability's nature makes it particularly susceptible to automated exploitation, so network-level filtering and sandboxing of image processing applications can provide additional protection layers. Security teams should also monitor for any related vulnerabilities in similar image processing libraries and ensure that all image handling components within their systems are kept up to date with the latest security patches. The implementation of proper memory safety practices, including the use of memory debugging tools and static analysis, can help identify similar issues in other components of the system. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of image processing applications to trusted environments, reducing the attack surface for this type of vulnerability.