CVE-2017-14297 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!DllGetClassObject+0x0000000000002f35."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14297 affects STDU Viewer version 1.6.375, a document viewing application that processes various file formats including the JBIG2 image format. This critical security flaw represents a code execution vulnerability that can be exploited through maliciously crafted .jb2 files, which are part of the JBIG2 standard for lossy and lossless compression of visual information. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory handling within the application's processing of JBIG2 file structures, creating a dangerous condition where attacker-controlled data can influence the program's execution flow.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the way STDU Viewer handles faulting addresses during the processing of JBIG2 files, specifically within the STDUJBIG2File!DllGetClassObject function at offset 0x2f35. This represents a classic buffer overflow or memory corruption vulnerability where data from an external source can overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing an attacker to redirect code execution to malicious payloads. The vulnerability manifests through the application's failure to properly validate the structure and content of incoming JBIG2 files before processing them, creating an opportunity for attackers to craft malicious files that trigger unintended behavior in the application's memory management subsystem.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and multifaceted, as it can be leveraged for both remote code execution and denial of service attacks. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through simple file manipulation, requiring no special privileges or complex attack vectors. Additionally, the denial of service aspect means that even if code execution cannot be achieved, attackers can still disrupt service availability by causing the application to crash or become unresponsive, which can be particularly damaging in enterprise environments where document viewing applications are frequently used.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through official vendor patches, as the vulnerability affects a specific version of the software that has likely received updates addressing the memory handling issues. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies, particularly for document files received from untrusted sources, and consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for document processing applications. Network-level controls such as content filtering and file type restrictions can help prevent malicious .jb2 files from reaching vulnerable systems. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a typical attack pattern categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation may involve launching malicious payloads through compromised applications. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted document processing applications and maintain up-to-date vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other document viewing software components.