CVE-2017-14274 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 "Data from Faulting Address controls subsequent Write Address starting at jbig2dec+0x0000000000008706."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14274 affects XnView Classic for Windows version 2.40 and represents a critical memory corruption flaw that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service conditions. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes maliciously crafted .jb2 files, which are JBIG2 compressed image format files commonly used for document imaging and archiving purposes. The flaw resides in the jbig2dec library component that XnView Classic utilizes for handling JBIG2 image files, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate memory operations through carefully constructed input data.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves a faulting address that directly influences subsequent write operations within the jbig2dec library at offset 0x0000000000008706. This memory access pattern creates a condition where an attacker can control the destination address of memory writes by manipulating the input file structure, leading to potential buffer overflows or memory corruption scenarios. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the JBIG2 decoding process, allowing attackers to bypass normal execution flow and potentially inject malicious code into the application's memory space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as successful exploitation could enable remote code execution on affected systems. Attackers could craft malicious .jb2 files that, when opened by XnView Classic, would trigger the memory corruption condition and potentially allow arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected user. This presents a significant risk in environments where users might encounter untrusted image files, particularly in email attachments, file sharing systems, or web-based image viewing applications. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of image processing and could be leveraged in various attack scenarios including phishing campaigns, malware distribution, or privilege escalation attacks.
Organizations and users should implement immediate mitigations including updating to the latest version of XnView Classic where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and memory management fixes. System administrators should consider restricting user access to potentially malicious file types and implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted image files. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving execution through malicious file formats. Security monitoring should focus on identifying unusual file processing activities and potential exploitation attempts through image file handling components. Additionally, users should exercise caution when opening image files from untrusted sources and maintain current antivirus signatures that can detect known malicious JBIG2 file patterns.