CVE-2012-5904 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in IrfanView before 4.33 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted RLE compressed bitmap file such as a DIB, RLE, or BMP image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5904 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw in IrfanView version 4.32 and earlier, which enables remote code execution through maliciously crafted bitmap image files. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of RLE (Run-Length Encoded) compressed bitmap formats including DIB, RLE, and BMP image types, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread use of these formats across various applications and systems. The flaw resides in the image parsing logic that fails to properly validate the size of data structures during decompression of RLE compressed image data, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of buffer boundaries during the decompression process of RLE compressed bitmap files. When IrfanView processes a maliciously crafted image file, the application allocates memory buffers based on seemingly legitimate size parameters extracted from the image header. However, the attacker can manipulate these parameters to cause the decompression routine to write more data than the allocated buffer space allows, resulting in a heap overflow condition. This memory corruption can overwrite adjacent memory locations including function pointers, return addresses, or other critical control data structures, providing attackers with the opportunity to redirect execution flow and ultimately execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can be leveraged in various attack scenarios including targeted exploitation of vulnerable systems, privilege escalation, and persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can deliver malicious payloads through web browsers, email attachments, or file sharing systems without requiring local access to the target system. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage vulnerabilities in applications to execute malicious code remotely. The vulnerability also relates to CWE-121, Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in heap memory regions where the attacker can manipulate the memory layout to achieve code execution.
The exploitation of this vulnerability typically requires the victim to open a malicious image file through IrfanView, making social engineering and user behavior significant factors in successful attacks. The attack vector is particularly concerning because bitmap formats are commonly used across multiple platforms and applications, increasing the potential attack surface. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability can be triggered through various image processing applications that rely on similar decompression libraries, making the impact broader than just IrfanView itself. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in the context of their broader security posture, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted image files through email, web browsing, or file sharing systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5904 should focus on immediate remediation through software updates to IrfanView version 4.33 or later, where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper input validation and memory boundary checking. System administrators should also implement additional protective measures including application whitelisting, email filtering, and web content filtering to prevent users from accessing potentially malicious image files. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation, particularly in image processing libraries that handle untrusted data from external sources. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, as the vulnerability may be used as part of broader attack campaigns targeting vulnerable systems. Regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs should include evaluation of image processing components and their handling of compressed data formats to prevent similar issues from occurring in other software applications.