CVE-2017-14283 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 a "Read Access Violation starting at jbig2dec+0x0000000000008fe4."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2019
CVE-2017-14283 represents a critical vulnerability in XnView Classic for Windows version 2.40 that manifests through improper handling of maliciously crafted .jb2 files. This vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption issues and specifically involves a read access violation within the jbig2dec library component that XnView utilizes for image processing. The flaw occurs at the memory address jbig2dec+0x0000000000008fe4, indicating a precise location within the decompression routine where the application fails to properly validate input data before attempting to read from memory locations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking and input validation mechanisms within the JBIG2 image format parser, which is a standard format used for high-quality black-and-white image compression.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a specially formatted .jb2 file that triggers the memory access violation when XnView attempts to render or process the image. When the application encounters such malformed input, the jbig2dec library crashes due to attempting to read from an invalid memory address, resulting in a denial of service condition that prevents normal application functionality. However, the vulnerability description indicates the possibility of unspecified other impacts, suggesting that under certain conditions the memory corruption could potentially be exploited to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges, though this remains unconfirmed. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read, which describes situations where a program reads data past the end of a valid buffer, and CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, when the flaw permits writing beyond the bounds of allocated memory.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14283 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it represents a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within environments where XnView Classic is used for image processing tasks. In enterprise settings where users might open untrusted image files from email attachments or file sharing systems, this vulnerability could be exploited to disrupt workflow or potentially gain unauthorized access to systems. The vulnerability affects all users running XnView Classic 2.40 on Windows platforms, making it particularly concerning for organizations that have not yet updated to patched versions. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort method to cause disruption or establish a foothold in target environments, as the exploit requires only the creation of a malicious file rather than complex exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14283 primarily focus on immediate patching of the affected XnView Classic application to version 2.41 or later, which includes updated jbig2dec library components with proper input validation. Organizations should also implement strict file validation policies that prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious image files, particularly those with .jb2 extensions. Network-based mitigations could include content filtering solutions that scan for and block suspicious image files, while endpoint protection measures should be configured to monitor for unusual application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. From an operational security standpoint, regular vulnerability assessments should include checks for outdated image processing applications, and users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted image files. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of keeping third-party libraries updated, as the flaw originates from the jbig2dec component rather than XnView itself, demonstrating how dependencies can introduce security risks that propagate throughout software ecosystems. This vulnerability is categorized under the attack technique T1059: Command and Scripting Interpreter in the ATT&CK framework, as exploitation could potentially enable attackers to execute malicious code through compromised applications, and T1499: Endpoint Denial of Service, which directly relates to the denial of service impact described in the vulnerability.