CVE-2017-14295 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 "Data from Faulting Address controls Code Flow starting at STDUJBIG2File+0x00000000000015e9."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14295 affects STDU Viewer version 1.6.375, a document viewing application that processes various file formats including JBIG2 images. This critical security flaw represents a remote code execution vulnerability that arises from improper input validation when processing specially crafted .jb2 files. The vulnerability stems from a flaw in the STDUJBIG2File component where data from a faulting address directly controls code flow, creating a path for attackers to manipulate program execution. The specific location of the vulnerability is pinpointed at offset 0x00000000000015e9 within the STDUJBIG2File module, indicating a precise memory access issue that can be exploited through malformed input data.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where an application reads data from memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries. This particular flaw manifests as a buffer overflow or memory corruption issue that occurs during the parsing of JBIG2 image files, specifically when the application attempts to process malformed data structures within the .jb2 file format. The faulting address mentioned in the vulnerability description indicates that the program's execution flow becomes unpredictable when encountering corrupted input data, potentially allowing attackers to redirect execution to malicious code. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple file manipulation without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious file.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to organizations that use STDU Viewer for document processing, as attackers can remotely execute arbitrary code on affected systems simply by enticing users to open a crafted .jb2 file. The potential impact ranges from complete system compromise to denial of service conditions, depending on how the vulnerability is exploited. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it can be delivered through email attachments, file sharing systems, or web downloads, making it a common entry point for malware distribution campaigns. This vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers the use of malicious files to gain initial access to systems, and T1059, which describes the execution of malicious code through various system interfaces.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of STDU Viewer where this vulnerability has been patched, implementing strict file validation policies for document processing systems, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file transfers. System administrators should also consider isolating document viewing applications in restricted environments and implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized code execution. Additionally, users should be trained to avoid opening untrusted document files and to verify file sources before processing. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in preventing code execution exploits, particularly in applications that handle complex file formats. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments of their document processing pipelines to identify similar issues in other third-party applications that may be susceptible to similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.