CVE-2012-0276 in XnView
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple heap-based buffer overflows in XnView before 1.99 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a (1) SGI32LogLum compressed TIFF image or (2) SGI32LogLum compressed TIFF image with the PhotometricInterpretation encoding set to LogL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0276 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow issue affecting XnView software versions prior to 199. This flaw exists within the image processing subsystem of the application and specifically targets the handling of SGI32LogLum compressed TIFF image formats. The vulnerability demonstrates the classic characteristics of memory corruption flaws that can lead to severe security implications including remote code execution and system instability. The affected software operates by parsing compressed TIFF image data structures, where the SGI32LogLum compression method creates specific parsing conditions that trigger the buffer overflow behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the decompression and interpretation of TIFF image files that utilize the SGI32LogLum compression algorithm. When XnView encounters a malformed TIFF image with this compression type, particularly when the PhotometricInterpretation encoding is set to LogL, the application fails to properly validate input boundaries during memory allocation and data copying operations. This results in heap memory corruption where attacker-controlled data overflows into adjacent memory regions, potentially overwriting critical program structures or execution pointers. The vulnerability manifests through improper bounds checking in the image decompression routines that process the compressed data streams, allowing for arbitrary memory access patterns that can be exploited for malicious purposes.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0276 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious TIFF image files that, when opened by an affected XnView instance, trigger the buffer overflow condition. The resulting application crash typically occurs during image rendering or processing operations, but in some cases may allow for code execution within the context of the running application. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, when considering the attack vector through image file manipulation. The vulnerability affects systems where XnView is used to process untrusted image content, particularly in environments where users might encounter malicious attachments or web content containing crafted TIFF files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0276 primarily involve upgrading to XnView version 1.99 or later, which includes proper input validation and boundary checking mechanisms for TIFF image processing. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the necessary updates promptly. Network administrators should consider implementing file type filtering and content validation measures for TIFF files, particularly in environments where users might encounter untrusted image content. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening image files from untrusted sources and the importance of keeping software updated. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in multimedia processing libraries and highlights the need for security-conscious development practices in image handling components that process compressed data formats. System administrators should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and implement appropriate intrusion detection measures to identify potential abuse of this vulnerability.