CVE-2017-10770 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 ntdll_77df0000!RtlpCreateSplitBlock+0x000000000000053a."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10770 affects XnView Classic for Windows version 2.40 and represents a critical denial of service condition that can be triggered through maliciously crafted .rle files. This vulnerability resides within the image processing functionality of the application, specifically when handling Run-Length Encoded file format inputs. The flaw manifests in the ntdll component of the Windows operating system where a faulting address controls branch selection, creating a potential pathway for arbitrary code execution or system instability. The affected code path begins at ntdll_77df0000!RtlpCreateSplitBlock+0x000000000000053a, indicating a deep integration with Windows kernel memory management routines. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of Stack-based Buffer Overflow, though the specific mechanism involves heap corruption through improper handling of memory allocation during image decompression processes. The attack vector requires an attacker to craft a specially formatted .rle file that, when opened by XnView Classic, triggers the vulnerable code path in the Windows kernel, potentially leading to system crashes or application hangs that can be exploited for broader denial of service attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it can be leveraged to create persistent denial of service conditions that affect legitimate users of the software. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability through a crafted .rle file, the system may experience complete application failure or even system-wide instability, particularly if the faulting address manipulation leads to memory corruption that affects critical Windows subsystems. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in system crashes that require manual rebooting, effectively creating a denial of service condition that can be maintained indefinitely if the attacker continues to provide malicious files. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk in environments where image processing is common, such as graphic design studios, digital media organizations, or any setting where users might encounter untrusted image files. The potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that the vulnerability might also enable privilege escalation or information disclosure, though these secondary effects have not been definitively confirmed in the initial vulnerability reporting. Organizations using XnView Classic should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface that could be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks if not properly mitigated.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-10770 should focus on immediate application updates and input validation measures to prevent exploitation. The most effective approach involves upgrading to a patched version of XnView Classic that addresses the memory handling issues in the .rle file processing routine, specifically targeting the heap allocation and branch selection logic that leads to the vulnerable ntdll component. System administrators should implement strict file type controls and sanitize all image file inputs before processing, particularly in environments where users might encounter untrusted content. Network-level protections can include implementing content filtering solutions that scan for known malicious file patterns or employing sandboxing techniques that isolate image processing operations from critical system components. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1059.007 technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as the exploitation process may involve command execution through file handling routines, and T1499.004 for Endpoint Denial of Service, as the primary impact is system resource exhaustion through malformed input processing. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that detect anomalous file processing behavior or system crashes that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, security teams should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other image processing applications and ensure that all third-party software components are regularly updated to address known memory corruption vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched versions to ensure that legitimate functionality is preserved while eliminating the exploitation vectors that lead to the vulnerable ntdll memory management routines.