CVE-2017-10751 in XnView Classic
Summary
by MITRE
XnView Classic for Windows Version 2.40 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 GDI32!GenericEngineGetGlyphs+0x0000000000000133."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10751 affects XnView Classic for Windows version 2.40 and represents a critical security flaw that could enable attackers to execute denial of service attacks or potentially cause unspecified additional impacts through manipulation of crafted .rle files. This vulnerability specifically manifests within the GDI32.dll component of the Windows operating system, where the faulting address directly influences branch selection during glyph processing operations. The issue stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the GenericEngineGetGlyphs function, which serves as a core component in the rendering pipeline for graphical elements.
The technical flaw resides in the way XnView Classic processes RLE (Run-Length Encoded) image files, which are commonly used for compressing bitmap graphics. When the application encounters a malformed or maliciously crafted .rle file, the GenericEngineGetGlyphs function in GDI32.dll receives data that causes unpredictable behavior in the branch selection mechanism. This particular address offset of 0x0000000000000133 within the function creates a condition where attacker-controlled data can influence program flow decisions, potentially leading to stack corruption, memory access violations, or arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with a buffer over-read or improper memory access pattern that violates fundamental security principles.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the flaw could potentially be exploited to achieve privilege escalation or remote code execution depending on the execution context. Attackers could craft .rle files that, when opened by XnView Classic, would trigger the vulnerable code path and cause the application to crash or behave unpredictably. In more sophisticated exploitation scenarios, the branch selection manipulation could be leveraged to redirect execution flow, potentially allowing attackers to inject malicious code into the application's memory space. The vulnerability affects the broader Windows graphics subsystem since it operates within GDI32.dll, making it a potential vector for attacks targeting multiple applications that rely on Windows graphical rendering capabilities. This issue aligns with CWE-125: Out-of-Bounds Read and CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, both of which are classified as high-risk vulnerabilities in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the XnView Classic application to version 2.41 or later, which contains the necessary code fixes to properly validate .rle file inputs and prevent the exploitation of the branch selection flaw. System administrators should implement strict file type validation and sandboxing measures for image processing applications, particularly when handling untrusted file uploads or external image sources. Network-level controls such as content filtering and application whitelisting can help prevent malicious .rle files from reaching vulnerable systems. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted image files and the importance of keeping software updated. Organizations should consider implementing runtime application protection mechanisms and monitoring for unusual application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the ATT&CK framework for defensive measures against code injection and privilege escalation techniques that could leverage similar memory corruption flaws.