CVE-2012-1197 in ACDSee
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the IDE_ACDStd.apl module for ACDSee 14.1 Build 137 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted "image dimension values" in a BMP file, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1197 represents a critical security flaw in the ACDSee image processing software version 14.1 Build 137. This issue resides within the IDE_ACDStd.apl module which handles bitmap file processing, specifically targeting the handling of image dimension values in bmp file formats. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and arithmetic handling during the parsing of image metadata, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited remotely by malicious actors. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to buffer overflows and arbitrary code execution. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by crafting specially formatted bmp files containing manipulated dimension values that cause the application to miscalculate memory allocation requirements.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves an integer overflow occurring during the calculation of buffer sizes needed for image data processing. When the IDE_ACDStd.apl module processes a malformed bmp file, it performs arithmetic operations on the image dimension parameters without proper bounds checking or overflow detection mechanisms. This results in a situation where the calculated buffer size becomes insufficient to accommodate the actual data, creating a heap-based buffer overflow condition. The overflow occurs in the heap memory space, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability operates under the ATT&CK framework's technique T1203, which involves exploitation of input validation flaws to achieve arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-1197 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities, as it represents a remote code execution vulnerability that can be triggered through simple file attachment scenarios. An attacker need only convince a victim to open a specially crafted bmp file through ACDSee, which typically occurs through email attachments, file sharing platforms, or web downloads. The vulnerability affects the application's memory management and can lead to complete system compromise if successful exploitation occurs. The heap-based nature of the buffer overflow provides attackers with multiple exploitation vectors, including potential memory corruption that could be leveraged for privilege escalation or information disclosure. This vulnerability directly impacts the integrity and availability of systems running vulnerable versions of ACDSee, as successful exploitation can result in unauthorized access to system resources and potential persistence mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1197 should focus on immediate patching of the affected ACDSee software to version 14.1 Build 138 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the integer overflow condition. Organizations should implement network-based controls such as file type filtering to prevent bmp files from being processed by vulnerable applications, particularly in high-risk environments. The fix implemented by the vendor addresses the core issue through proper integer overflow detection and bounds checking during image dimension processing. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of vulnerable software, deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious file processing activities, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other image processing components. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for image file handling and establishing incident response procedures specifically for dealing with remote code execution vulnerabilities in multimedia applications.