CVE-2012-2940 in Real-DRAW PRO
Summary
by MITRE
MediaChance Real-DRAW PRO 5.2.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted (1) PNG, (2) WMF, (3) PSD, (4) TGA, (5) TTF, (6) BMP, (7) TIFF, or (8) PCX file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/23/2025
MediaChance Real-DRAW PRO 5.2.4 contains a critical buffer overflow vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks through the processing of specially crafted image files. This vulnerability affects multiple graphic file formats including PNG, WMF, PSD, TGA, TTF, BMP, TIFF, and PCX, indicating a widespread parsing flaw within the application's multimedia handling subsystem. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management during file processing, allowing maliciously constructed file headers or data structures to overwrite adjacent memory regions. This flaw represents a classic example of a buffer overflow condition that falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities. The attack vector operates through remote exploitation since the vulnerable application processes files without proper bounds checking, making it susceptible to crafted payloads delivered over network channels or embedded within malicious attachments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it can be leveraged to disrupt business operations and potentially create opportunities for more sophisticated attacks. When exploited, the vulnerability causes the application to crash or become unresponsive, effectively denying legitimate users access to the software functionality. This denial of service condition can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where Real-DRAW PRO is used for critical graphic design workflows or document processing tasks. The vulnerability's reach across multiple file formats suggests that the underlying parsing logic shares common code paths, making the attack surface larger than individual file format vulnerabilities would typically present. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through application or service disruption. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that many users may unknowingly open malicious files, particularly if they are delivered through email attachments or web downloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and inadequate memory safety controls within the application's file parsing routines. The software fails to implement proper bounds checking mechanisms when reading file headers and data structures, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout through carefully crafted file content. This weakness creates opportunities for memory corruption that can lead to arbitrary code execution in some scenarios, though the current description indicates primarily denial of service effects. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it attractive to threat actors seeking to disrupt services or create chaos within target environments. Organizations using Real-DRAW PRO 5.2.4 should consider immediate mitigation strategies including patching the software to the latest version, implementing network-based file filtering to block suspicious file types, and deploying application whitelisting controls to prevent unauthorized execution of vulnerable components. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices as outlined in industry standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure software development. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify other potentially vulnerable applications within their environment, as similar buffer overflow conditions may exist in other software components that process multimedia files.