CVE-2017-14280 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 "Data from Faulting Address controls Branch Selection starting at jbig2dec+0x000000000000571d."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14280 affects XnView Classic for Windows version 2.40 and represents a critical security flaw that can lead to denial of service conditions or potentially more severe consequences through manipulation of specially crafted .jb2 files. This issue resides within the jbig2dec library component that XnView Classic utilizes for handling JBIG2 image format processing, making it a significant concern for users who process various image files through this software.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of malformed data within JBIG2 image files, specifically when the application encounters a faulting address that controls branch selection within the jbig2dec library. The vulnerability occurs at the specific memory address offset 0x000000000000571d within the jbig2dec module, indicating a precise location where the application fails to properly validate input data before executing conditional branch operations. This type of flaw typically manifests as a control flow hijacking vulnerability where attacker-controlled data influences program execution paths, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the unspecified other impacts could include privilege escalation, information disclosure, or complete system compromise depending on the execution environment and attack vector. When an attacker successfully crafts a malicious .jb2 file, the vulnerable XnView Classic application becomes susceptible to crashes, hangs, or potentially more dangerous behaviors that could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to systems. The vulnerability affects the core image processing functionality of the application, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently process images from untrusted sources.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and potentially CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain system access, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and memory management practices that are commonly exploited in file format processing vulnerabilities. Security researchers have noted that similar issues in image processing libraries often result in remote code execution when combined with other vulnerabilities, making this a particularly concerning flaw in a widely used image viewer application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of XnView Classic to version 2.41 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the jbig2dec library processing. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent processing of untrusted image files, particularly those with .jb2 extensions. Network-based defenses should include content filtering solutions that can identify and block malicious image files before they reach end-user systems. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening image files from untrusted sources, and system administrators should monitor for unusual application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular software updates and maintaining current security patches across all image processing applications in enterprise environments.