CVE-2017-10729 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE
IrfanView version 4.44 (32bit) allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service via a crafted .rle file, related to a "User Mode Write AV starting at ntdll_77df0000!RtlpWaitOnCriticalSection+0x0000000000000121."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10729 affects IrfanView version 4.44 32bit and represents a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution or denial of service through manipulation of .rle image files. This issue stems from improper handling of malformed raster image files within the image processing pipeline of the software. The vulnerability manifests when the application attempts to process a specially crafted .rle file that triggers an access violation in the user mode write operation, specifically at the ntdll_77df0000!RtlpWaitOnCriticalSection+0x0000000000000121 memory address location. This memory access violation occurs during the critical section handling within the Windows kernel, indicating a deep integration with system-level threading and synchronization mechanisms. The flaw falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities and can be classified as a write access violation according to common vulnerability classification frameworks.
The technical nature of this vulnerability exposes a fundamental flaw in input validation and memory management within IrfanView's image parsing routines. When processing the malicious .rle file, the application fails to properly validate the file structure and content, leading to a buffer overflow or memory corruption scenario that ultimately results in a structured exception handling failure. The specific location of the access violation at the RtlpWaitOnCriticalSection function suggests that the application encounters a race condition or improper synchronization during file processing, where concurrent access to shared resources within the Windows kernel causes the system to crash. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it operates at the user mode level but can potentially escalate to system-level privileges depending on the execution context and the target operating system configuration.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. Attackers can craft malicious .rle files that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, will trigger the exploitable condition and potentially allow for remote code execution. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive for phishing campaigns or social engineering attacks where users might be tricked into opening seemingly legitimate image files. The vulnerability affects Windows operating systems running IrfanView 4.44 32bit, and while the specific memory address indicates a Windows x86 environment, the underlying flaw in file parsing and memory management could potentially affect similar image processing applications. Organizations using IrfanView for image viewing and processing are at risk of being compromised through this vector, especially in environments where users have the ability to open untrusted image files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-10729 should focus on immediate patching and implementation of defensive measures. The primary solution involves upgrading to a patched version of IrfanView that addresses the memory corruption issue in the .rle file processing routine. Until such patches are deployed, organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent execution of untrusted image files, particularly those with .rle extensions. Network-level defenses such as email filtering and web application firewalls should be configured to block or quarantine .rle files from untrusted sources. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of IrfanView to trusted environments only. From a security monitoring perspective, organizations should deploy intrusion detection systems capable of identifying suspicious file processing activities and potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a user mode write access violation aligns with CWE-121 which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and the attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1203 and T1059 tactics for privilege escalation and command execution. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of a code execution through file format manipulation, which maps to ATT&CK technique T1064 for Windows Command Shell execution.