CVE-2017-14272 in XnView Classic
Summary
by MITRE
XnView Classic for Windows Version 2.40 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service via a crafted .jb2 file, related to a "User Mode Write AV starting at jbig2dec+0x000000000000595d."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2019
CVE-2017-14272 represents a critical vulnerability in XnView Classic for Windows version 2.40 that exposes users to arbitrary code execution or denial of service attacks through maliciously crafted .jb2 files. This vulnerability stems from a user mode write access violation occurring at the jbig2dec library component, specifically at offset 0x000000000000595d within the jbig2dec+0x000000000000595d memory address. The flaw demonstrates a classic buffer overflow condition that manifests when the application processes malformed JBIG2 image files, which are commonly used for document compression and image storage.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a heap-based buffer overflow within the JBIG2 decoding library that XnView Classic relies upon for image processing. When an attacker crafts a malicious .jb2 file containing malformed data structures, the application's image parser fails to properly validate input parameters before attempting to write data to memory locations. This results in a write access violation that can be exploited to redirect program execution flow or cause application termination. The vulnerability specifically targets the jbig2dec library's handling of compressed image data, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory regions with controlled data.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to end users who may encounter malicious .jb2 files through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing networks. The exploitability of this flaw means that simply opening a crafted image file within XnView Classic could result in complete system compromise, as the vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution within the application's security context. The denial of service aspect further compounds the risk by potentially rendering the application unusable for legitimate users, disrupting workflow and productivity. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and reflects patterns commonly found in software libraries that process untrusted binary data without proper validation.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends beyond individual user systems to include enterprise environments where image processing applications are widely deployed. Organizations using XnView Classic for document management, image archiving, or multimedia applications face potential compromise through this vector, as the vulnerability can be triggered through automated file processing or user interaction with malicious content. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in relation to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and persistent access. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of XnView Classic to version 2.41 or later, implementing strict file validation policies, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious .jb2 file patterns. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted image files and organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of vulnerable software components.