CVE-2017-14292 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+0x000000000000570e."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14292 affects STDU Viewer version 1.6.375, a document viewing application that processes various file formats including the JPEG 2000 format. This critical security flaw manifests through improper handling of maliciously crafted .jb2 files, which are JPEG 2000 image files that utilize the JBIG2 compression standard. The vulnerability specifically resides within the STDUJBIG2File.dll component of the software, where a user mode write access violation occurs during the DllUnregisterServer function execution at address 0x000000000000570e. This represents a classic heap-based buffer overflow scenario that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability through denial of service conditions.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages a memory corruption issue that occurs when the application processes malformed JBIG2 files. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the STDUJBIG2File.dll library, which fails to properly handle boundary checks when parsing the crafted .jb2 file structure. When an attacker crafts a malicious file that triggers the vulnerable code path, the application's memory management routines become compromised, leading to a write access violation that can be leveraged for code execution. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, specifically targeting user mode execution contexts where the application operates with elevated privileges. The attack vector requires the victim to open the malicious file through the vulnerable application, making social engineering and phishing attacks particularly effective in exploiting this weakness.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14292 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to encompass potential system compromise and service disruption. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain arbitrary code execution within the context of the STDU Viewer application, potentially leading to full system compromise if the application runs with elevated privileges. The denial of service component of this vulnerability means that even successful exploitation without code execution can render the target system unusable by causing application crashes or system instability. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 sub-technique for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically PowerShell and Windows Command Shell, as attackers can leverage the compromised application to execute malicious payloads. The exploitation process typically involves crafting a specially formatted .jb2 file that, when opened by the vulnerable application, triggers the memory corruption leading to either remote code execution or denial of service conditions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected STDU Viewer application to version 1.6.375.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the memory handling issues. System administrators should implement application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted .jb2 files and consider disabling automatic opening of such files in the viewer application. Network-based protections such as intrusion prevention systems should be configured to detect and block traffic containing potentially malicious JBIG2 file formats. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening unknown or untrusted files, particularly those with .jb2 extensions, as social engineering remains a primary exploitation vector for this type of vulnerability. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potentially affected applications and implement proper input validation controls to prevent similar memory corruption issues in their software applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in preventing remote code execution exploits, aligning with industry best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for secure software development.