CVE-2017-10730 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 FORMATS!GetPlugInInfo+0x0000000000007d96."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10730 affects IrfanView version 4.44 32bit and represents a critical code execution flaw that can be exploited through maliciously crafted .rle files. This issue stems from a user mode write access violation occurring within the FORMATS!GetPlugInInfo function at offset 0x0000000000007d96, indicating a heap-based buffer overflow or memory corruption vulnerability that allows attackers to gain unauthorized code execution privileges. The flaw exists in the image processing module responsible for handling RLE (Run-Length Encoded) format files, which are commonly used for bitmap image storage and are supported by IrfanView's plugin architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic buffer overflow condition where malicious input data exceeds the allocated memory boundaries during the parsing of RLE file structures. When IrfanView attempts to process a specially crafted .rle file, the application fails to properly validate input parameters or enforce memory bounds checking within the GetPlugInInfo function. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious code or manipulate program execution flow, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected user. The vulnerability specifically manifests during the plugin information retrieval phase, suggesting that the flaw occurs in the image format handling subsystem when processing external plugin metadata.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to include potential denial of service conditions that can render the application completely unusable. Attackers can leverage this flaw to crash IrfanView applications, making them unavailable for legitimate users while simultaneously gaining the capability to execute malicious payloads on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability affects systems running IrfanView 4.44 32bit versions, which were widely distributed and used in both personal and enterprise environments, amplifying the potential attack surface. This flaw can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms where users might unknowingly open malicious RLE files, making it particularly dangerous in unpatched environments.
Organizations and users should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions of IrfanView, implementing strict file validation procedures, and deploying application whitelisting controls to prevent execution of untrusted image files. System administrators should consider network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and implement sandboxing techniques to isolate image processing operations. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow and CWE-122 Heap-based Buffer Overflow classifications, representing a fundamental memory safety issue that violates secure coding practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, demonstrating how initial access through file processing can lead to full system compromise. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of T1068 Exploitation of Remote Services and T1133 External Remote Services, as attackers may exploit this flaw through web-based delivery mechanisms or file sharing platforms.