CVE-2017-14566 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 .xps file, related to a "User Mode Write AV starting at Unknown Symbol @ 0x00000000039d76c4 called from Unknown Symbol @ 0x0000000000049d2c."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14566 affects STDU Viewer version 1.6.375, a document viewing application that processes XPS (XML Paper Specification) files. This weakness represents a critical security flaw that could enable remote code execution or system denial of service when processing maliciously crafted XPS documents. The vulnerability manifests through an access violation error occurring in user mode memory operations, specifically involving write operations that trigger a fault at memory address 0x00000000039d76c4, with the fault originating from another memory location at 0x0000000000049d2c. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of heap-based buffer overflow conditions, where improper input validation allows attackers to manipulate memory structures and potentially execute arbitrary code within the context of the application's privileges.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the application's insufficient validation of XPS file structures during parsing operations. When STDU Viewer encounters a malformed XPS document, the parsing engine fails to properly handle memory allocation for certain elements within the document structure, leading to memory corruption. The specific memory addresses referenced in the error indicate that the application's memory management routines are susceptible to being overwritten or corrupted during the processing of crafted input. This flaw aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and CWE-125, out-of-bounds read, which are common categories in software security vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution stems from the fact that XPS files can be delivered through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites, making this a particularly dangerous flaw in environments where users frequently open documents from untrusted sources.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14566 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability could gain arbitrary code execution privileges within the context of the STDU Viewer application, potentially allowing for privilege escalation attacks, data exfiltration, or further network infiltration. The vulnerability affects any system running STDU Viewer 1.6.375, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where document viewing applications are commonly used. Organizations that rely on XPS file processing for business operations face significant risk, as the vulnerability can be triggered through legitimate document viewing operations without requiring special privileges or advanced technical knowledge from the attacker. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise systems through social engineering campaigns or automated exploitation tools.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate software updates from the vendor, as the issue has been addressed in subsequent versions of STDU Viewer. System administrators should implement network-based controls to restrict access to potentially malicious XPS files, particularly those originating from untrusted sources. The implementation of application whitelisting policies can help prevent execution of vulnerable versions of the software, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify other potentially vulnerable applications within the organization's attack surface. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1203, Exploitation for Execution, and T1059, Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code through legitimate application interfaces. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file processing activities and implement user education programs to reduce the risk of social engineering attacks that might leverage this vulnerability. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping document processing software updated and implementing defense-in-depth strategies to protect against memory corruption vulnerabilities that could lead to complete system compromise.