CVE-2017-14578 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE
IrfanView 4.44 - 32bit allows attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted .ani file, related to "Data from Faulting Address controls Branch Selection starting at ntdll_77130000!RtlpCoalesceFreeBlocks+0x00000000000004b4."
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14578 affects IrfanView version 4.44 for 32-bit systems and represents a critical denial of service condition that can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution. This flaw manifests through improper handling of maliciously crafted .ani file formats, which are animation cursor files commonly used in windows environments. The vulnerability specifically occurs within the ntdll component of the windows operating system where a faulting address controls branch selection, creating a predictable execution path that attackers can exploit to disrupt normal system operations.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves a buffer overflow condition that occurs during the processing of animated cursor files. When IrfanView attempts to parse a specially crafted .ani file, the application fails to properly validate the file structure, leading to memory corruption at the ntdll_77130000!RtlpCoalesceFreeBlocks+0x00000000000004b4 memory location. This memory corruption directly impacts the Windows runtime library's heap management functions, specifically the RtlpCoalesceFreeBlocks function responsible for consolidating free memory blocks. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with a control flow hijacking attack pattern where the attacker manipulates memory addresses to redirect program execution.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for end users who may unknowingly open maliciously crafted .ani files through IrfanView. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service as the vulnerability could potentially allow remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may encounter such files through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. The vulnerability affects systems running Windows operating systems and can be exploited across various network scenarios, including web-based attacks where malicious .ani files are hosted on compromised websites or delivered through social engineering campaigns.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics similar to those documented in the ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution. The vulnerability represents a classic example of how multimedia file processing applications can become attack vectors due to insufficient input validation and memory management practices. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including disabling automatic file type recognition for .ani files, implementing application whitelisting policies, and ensuring all systems have the latest security patches installed from the vendor.
The remediation approach requires users to upgrade to the latest version of IrfanView where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation and memory management improvements. System administrators should also consider implementing network-based security controls such as content filtering solutions that can detect and block suspicious .ani files before they reach end-user systems. Additionally, regular security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening unknown file attachments and visiting untrusted websites. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices in multimedia processing applications and the critical need for comprehensive input validation to prevent memory corruption attacks that can lead to system compromise.