CVE-2017-14573 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 an "Illegal Instruction Violation starting at Unknown Symbol @ 0x00000000030c024c called from STDUXPSFile!DllUnregisterServer+0x000000000002566a."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14573 affects STDU Viewer version 1.6.375, a document viewing application that processes xps files. This weakness represents a critical security flaw that can be exploited by malicious actors to gain unauthorized system access or disrupt service availability. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of specially crafted xps files that trigger memory access violations during the file processing routine. The specific error condition manifests as an illegal instruction violation occurring at a memory address within the STDUXPSFile module, specifically at offset 0x00000000030c024c, which is called from the DllUnregisterServer function. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of heap-based buffer overflows and memory corruption issues that are commonly classified under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and CWE-787, out-of-bounds write. The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the victim user, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently open malicious documents.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious xps file that contains malformed data structures designed to trigger the illegal instruction violation. When the STDU Viewer application attempts to process this crafted file, the memory management routines fail to properly validate input data, leading to a situation where execution flows into invalid memory locations. The error trace indicates that the issue originates from the DllUnregisterServer function which suggests that the vulnerability may be related to improper cleanup or registration routines within the xps file processing library. This type of memory corruption vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code through Return-Oriented Programming (ROP) techniques or by directly overwriting function pointers. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it can be delivered through email attachments, web downloads, or shared network drives, making it easily accessible to attackers without requiring specialized knowledge of the target system. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1203 - Exploitation for Execution technique, where attackers leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to include potential denial of service conditions that can render the affected system unusable. When exploited, the illegal instruction violation can cause the STDU Viewer application to crash or behave unpredictably, leading to service disruption for legitimate users. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution makes it a significant threat to enterprise security, particularly in environments where users have unrestricted access to file processing applications. Organizations running affected versions of STDU Viewer are at risk of having their systems compromised through social engineering attacks or automated exploitation campaigns. The vulnerability also demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate memory management within the application's xps file parser, which are common issues in legacy software applications that have not received proper security updates. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability type is particularly prevalent in document processing software and is often exploited in targeted attacks against specific industries or organizations. The exploitation of such vulnerabilities typically requires minimal technical expertise from attackers, making them popular choices for automated exploit delivery systems and mass vulnerability exploitation campaigns. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling xps file processing capabilities, updating to patched versions of STDU Viewer, or implementing application whitelisting controls to prevent execution of vulnerable components.