CVE-2017-14287 in STDU Viewer
Summary
by MITRE
STDU Viewer 1.6.375 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service via a crafted .jb2 file, related to a "Read Access Violation on Control Flow starting at STDUJBIG2File+0x00000000000015eb."
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14287 affects STDU Viewer version 1.6.375, a document viewing application that processes various file formats including the JBIG2 standard. This security flaw represents a critical memory corruption issue that can be exploited through maliciously crafted .jb2 files, which are compressed document formats commonly used for multi-page documents and images. The vulnerability manifests as a read access violation within the control flow of the STDUJBIG2File component, specifically at the memory address offset 0x00000000000015eb, indicating a fundamental flaw in how the application handles memory operations during file parsing.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the STDU Viewer application attempts to process a specially crafted JBIG2 file that contains malformed data structures. The read access violation indicates that the application tries to access memory locations that it does not have permission to read, or accesses memory that has already been freed or is otherwise invalid. This type of memory corruption typically leads to either arbitrary code execution if an attacker can control the memory access pattern, or a denial of service condition where the application crashes due to the invalid memory access. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the JBIG2 file parser component, which fails to properly handle malformed or maliciously constructed file data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it provides attackers with potential pathways for system compromise. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution, which can enable attackers to gain full control over the affected system, install malware, or establish persistence mechanisms. The denial of service aspect means that legitimate users may be unable to access documents through the viewer application, creating operational disruptions in environments where document processing is critical. Organizations using STDU Viewer for document management, archiving, or content processing may face significant security risks, particularly in environments where users might receive documents from untrusted sources or where the application is used in automated processing workflows.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14287 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected application to the latest version that contains the necessary security fixes. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of the vulnerable application to untrusted networks or users. Input validation measures should be strengthened at network boundaries and file processing points to prevent malicious JBIG2 files from reaching the vulnerable application. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of the viewer application to trusted environments only, and deploy intrusion detection systems that can monitor for suspicious file processing activities. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a typical example of how memory corruption vulnerabilities can lead to privilege escalation and system compromise, similar to patterns seen in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059 technique for execution through command and scripting interpreter.
This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management and input validation in document processing applications. The flaw in STDU Viewer's JBIG2 parser highlights how legacy applications may contain unpatched memory corruption issues that can be exploited by attackers. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their document processing workflows and ensure that all applications handling external file formats receive regular security updates. The incident also underscores the need for defensive programming practices that include bounds checking, proper error handling, and memory sanitization techniques to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being introduced into software applications.