CVE-2017-14276 in XnView Classic
Summary
by MITRE
XnView Classic for Windows Version 2.40 allows attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted .jb2 file, related to "Possible Stack Corruption starting at jbig2dec+0x0000000000002fbe."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2019
CVE-2017-14276 represents a critical stack corruption vulnerability affecting XnView Classic for Windows version 2.40 and potentially earlier versions. This vulnerability manifests through improper handling of maliciously crafted .jb2 files, which are based on the JBIG2 standard for bi-level image compression. The flaw occurs within the jbig2dec library component that XnView Classic utilizes for processing these image files, specifically at offset 0x0000000000002fbe within the jbig2dec+0x0000000000002fbe address space. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and memory management during the parsing of malformed JBIG2 data structures, creating a potential stack overflow condition that can be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a specially formatted .jb2 file that triggers the stack corruption during image decompression processing. When XnView Classic attempts to parse such a malicious file, the jbig2dec library's buffer handling mechanisms fail to properly validate input data, leading to memory corruption that can result in application crashes or more severe consequences. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in image processing libraries. The attack surface is particularly concerning as it can be triggered through simple file opening operations, making it accessible to unauthenticated remote attackers who might distribute malicious files through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as the stack corruption could potentially enable arbitrary code execution depending on the system configuration and memory layout. In environments where XnView Classic is used for processing untrusted image files, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for system compromise. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on legacy image viewing software, particularly those in sectors where image file handling is frequent, such as media companies, graphic design studios, or any organization processing large volumes of image data. Security analysts should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the ongoing risks associated with outdated software libraries and the importance of maintaining current versions of image processing components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, which covers Exploitation for Execution, as it can potentially be leveraged to gain unauthorized code execution within the context of the vulnerable application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14276 should focus on immediate software updates and patching procedures, as the vendor has released corrected versions of XnView Classic that address the jbig2dec library vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies, particularly for image files received from external sources, and consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for potential exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include restricting user privileges when processing image files, implementing sandboxing mechanisms for image viewing operations, and establishing automated patch management procedures to ensure timely updates of vulnerable components. Security teams should also consider disabling support for JBIG2 file formats in environments where the risk is not justified by operational requirements, and conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other image processing libraries and applications within their infrastructure.