CVE-2017-14291 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 "User Mode Write AV starting at STDUJBIG2File!DllUnregisterServer+0x00000000000076d8."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14291 affects STDU Viewer version 1.6.375, a document viewing application that processes various file formats including the Joint Bi-level Image Group 2 format known as .jb2 files. This particular flaw represents a critical security weakness that could enable remote code execution or denial of service conditions when the application processes maliciously crafted input files. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of memory operations within the STDUJBIG2File component, specifically during the DllUnregisterServer function execution.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in a user mode write access violation that occurs when the application attempts to process malformed .jb2 files. The error manifests at the memory address STDUJBIG2File!DllUnregisterServer+0x00000000000076d8, indicating that the application fails to properly validate input data before attempting to write to memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of heap-based buffer overflows or memory corruption issues, which are commonly classified as CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow or CWE-787 out-of-bounds write depending on the specific implementation details. The flaw represents a classic example of improper input validation where the application does not adequately check the size or content of incoming data before processing it.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems running affected versions of STDU Viewer. Attackers could exploit this weakness by crafting malicious .jb2 files that, when opened by the vulnerable application, would trigger the memory corruption leading to arbitrary code execution. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no privileged access or special user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it a potential candidate for drive-by download attacks or social engineering campaigns. The denial of service aspect of this vulnerability could also be leveraged to disrupt legitimate business operations by causing the application to crash repeatedly, potentially affecting productivity and availability of document viewing services.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation capabilities as it demonstrates poor software security practices in input validation and memory management. The fact that the error occurs during DllUnregisterServer function suggests that the application may be vulnerable not only during normal file processing but also during component registration and unregistration phases, potentially affecting system stability. Organizations using STDU Viewer should consider this vulnerability in the context of broader security frameworks, as it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1489 for denial of service, depending on the specific exploitation method employed. The vulnerability also reflects common weaknesses in software development practices that should be addressed through proper secure coding guidelines and defensive programming techniques.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of affected STDU Viewer installations to the latest version that addresses this specific memory corruption issue. System administrators should also implement file validation controls to prevent execution of potentially malicious .jb2 files, particularly in environments where document processing is automated or where users have limited security awareness. Network-level controls such as content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional protection layers. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized software components, particularly those that handle external file formats. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other document processing applications and ensure that input validation mechanisms are robust enough to prevent similar memory corruption issues from occurring in the future.