CVE-2017-10776 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 a "Read Access Violation starting at ntdll_77df0000!LdrShutdownProcess+0x0000000000000130."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10776 affects XnView Classic for Windows version 2.40 and represents a critical denial of service condition that could potentially lead to more severe consequences. This issue manifests when the application processes a specially crafted .rle file, which is a graphics file format commonly used for storing raster images. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the image processing pipeline of XnView Classic, creating a scenario where maliciously constructed data can trigger unexpected application behavior.
The technical flaw occurs at the memory management level where a read access violation takes place within the Windows ntdll module, specifically at the LdrShutdownProcess function. This indicates that the application's image parser fails to properly validate the boundaries of the .rle file data structure, leading to attempts to access memory locations that are either unmapped or protected. The error location ntdll_77df0000!LdrShutdownProcess+0x0000000000000130 points to a critical system component where the application's crash occurs during the process shutdown sequence, suggesting that the malformed input has corrupted the application's execution context sufficiently to trigger a system-level termination.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations that rely on XnView Classic for image processing tasks, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted image files from external sources. The denial of service aspect means that legitimate users could be prevented from accessing the application entirely, while the unspecified other impacts suggest potential for privilege escalation or information disclosure scenarios. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because .rle files are commonly used in various applications and could be encountered in email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing scenarios.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a classic example of memory safety issues that have been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be leveraged in initial access phases where adversaries attempt to compromise systems through file-based attacks, potentially leading to more sophisticated exploitation techniques. The use of Windows system components in the crash pattern suggests potential for exploitation that could bypass standard application sandboxing measures.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the XnView Classic application to the latest version that addresses this vulnerability. Organizations should also implement strict file validation policies for image files, particularly those received from external sources or untrusted environments. Network-based solutions such as email filtering and web proxies should be configured to block .rle files or perform additional scanning before delivery to end users. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of potentially vulnerable applications or require additional security controls for their use. Regular security assessments should be conducted to identify other applications with similar memory handling vulnerabilities that could present similar risks to the organization's attack surface.