CVE-2017-10733 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE
IrfanView version 4.44 (32bit) might allow attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted .rle file, related to "Data from Faulting Address controls Branch Selection starting at ntdll_77df0000!RtlpEnterCriticalSectionContended+0x0000000000000031."
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10733 affects IrfanView version 4.44 32bit and represents a critical denial of service condition that could potentially escalate to more severe impacts. This flaw manifests through improper handling of crafted .rle files, which are Run-Length Encoded image format files commonly used in legacy graphics applications. The vulnerability stems from how the application processes malformed data within these files, specifically triggering a fault condition that disrupts normal program execution flow.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the application's failure to properly validate input data during the processing of .rle image files. When IrfanView encounters a maliciously crafted .rle file, the parsing routine leads to an exception in the ntdll library at the address ntdll_77df0000!RtlpEnterCriticalSectionContended+0x0000000000000031. This specific memory location represents a critical section implementation within the Windows runtime library, where the application's thread attempts to acquire a lock but encounters corrupted data that causes the execution to deviate from normal program flow. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with a control flow hijacking vulnerability, where attacker-controlled data influences the program's branching logic.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks. An attacker could leverage this weakness to crash the application repeatedly, rendering it unusable for legitimate users, or potentially execute arbitrary code if the memory corruption allows for code execution. The vulnerability affects the 32bit version of IrfanView specifically, indicating that the issue stems from architectural limitations in the 32-bit address space handling or memory management routines. This weakness could be particularly dangerous in environments where IrfanView is used for image processing tasks, as it could be exploited through email attachments, web downloads, or other file transfer mechanisms.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129 Input Validation and the broader category of buffer overflows, though it manifests as a control flow corruption rather than direct memory corruption. The ATT&CK framework would categorize this under T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, as it involves exploiting a software vulnerability to execute malicious code or cause system instability. The vulnerability also demonstrates characteristics of T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the crafted file essentially provides an execution environment that allows attackers to manipulate program flow. Security professionals should note that the ntdll component's critical section handling suggests this could be part of a larger exploitation chain, potentially allowing for privilege escalation or more advanced attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of IrfanView to versions that properly validate .rle file inputs and implement proper error handling for malformed data. System administrators should consider implementing file type restrictions and content filtering to prevent execution of potentially malicious .rle files, particularly in environments where the application is used for processing untrusted content. Network-based protections should include signature-based detection for .rle file content patterns that match known malicious payloads, while endpoint protection solutions should monitor for unusual process behavior when handling image files. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted image files and the importance of maintaining updated software versions. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of vulnerable versions of IrfanView until proper patches are deployed across all affected systems.