CVE-2017-10735 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!RtlpFreeHeap+0x00000000000003ca."
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10735 affects IrfanView version 4.44 32bit and represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow condition that can be exploited through maliciously crafted .rle files. This flaw resides within the image processing functionality of the software, specifically when handling run-length encoded image formats. The vulnerability manifests during the execution of ntdll_77df0000!RtlpFreeHeap+0x00000000000003ca function call, indicating that the issue originates from memory management operations within the Windows operating system's runtime library. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with a use-after-free vulnerability where memory allocated for processing the .rle file becomes corrupted or improperly managed, leading to unpredictable behavior.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within the CWE-122 category of heap-based buffer overflow conditions, which are particularly dangerous because they can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. When IrfanView processes a malformed .rle file, the application fails to properly validate input data, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory structures that control branch selection within the ntdll library. This creates an opportunity for attackers to influence program execution flow and potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected user. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service as it could enable remote code execution depending on the attack vector and system configuration.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on IrfanView for image processing tasks, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted image files. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that .rle files are commonly used in various applications and can be embedded in different contexts such as email attachments, web content, or file sharing systems. Attackers could craft malicious .rle files that when opened by IrfanView would trigger the heap corruption, potentially leading to system crashes, data corruption, or full system compromise. The vulnerability affects Windows systems where IrfanView is installed and could be exploited through social engineering attacks or automated scanning of vulnerable systems.
The attack surface for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves gaining access through exploitation of software vulnerabilities in applications. Organizations should consider implementing multiple layers of defense including application whitelisting, regular security updates, and network segmentation to limit potential exploitation. The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate patching of IrfanView to version 4.45 or later, which contains fixes for this heap-based buffer overflow condition. Additionally, administrators should consider disabling automatic image preview in email clients and web browsers to reduce exposure, as well as implementing security awareness training to prevent users from opening suspicious image files. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and memory management in image processing libraries, aligning with industry best practices for secure coding standards.