CVE-2017-14693 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 .djvu file, related to "Data from Faulting Address controls Branch Selection starting at DJVU!GetPlugInInfo+0x000000000001c613."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14693 affects IrfanView version 4.44 32-bit implementation 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 .djvu files during the processing of plugin information within the application's memory management system. The vulnerability specifically occurs at the DJVU!GetPlugInInfo function where faulting address data directly influences branch selection logic, creating a predictable execution path that attackers can manipulate. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and memory safety mechanisms within the image viewer's plugin architecture, particularly when processing digital document formats that utilize the DjVu file format specification.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a specially formatted .djvu file that triggers a memory access violation during the plugin information retrieval process. When IrfanView attempts to parse the malicious file, the faulting address data becomes embedded in the branch selection mechanism, allowing an attacker to redirect execution flow through controlled memory addresses. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125: Out-of-Bounds Read and CWE-787: Out of Bounds Write classifications, as the application fails to properly validate memory boundaries during plugin processing operations. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory corruption and control flow hijacking, making it particularly dangerous as it can potentially allow for remote code execution or complete system compromise.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability affects users who process untrusted DjVu files through IrfanView 4.44 32-bit installations, creating a significant risk for organizations that handle document processing workflows. The denial of service condition can be triggered simply by opening a malicious file, potentially causing application crashes or system instability that disrupts normal business operations. In more severe cases, the vulnerability could be exploited to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems, particularly when the application is running with elevated privileges or in environments where users frequently open documents from untrusted sources. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments, email servers, and document management systems that rely on IrfanView for image processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14693 should prioritize immediate patching of IrfanView installations to versions that address the memory handling issues within the DjVu plugin processing module. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent automatic processing of unknown or untrusted file formats, particularly in high-risk environments. Network-based defenses can include content filtering solutions that block DjVu files from entering the network perimeter, while endpoint protection measures should focus on monitoring for suspicious file processing behavior. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and proper input validation, particularly in multimedia processing applications that handle external file formats. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict IrfanView execution to trusted environments and regularly audit file processing activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability also highlights the need for regular security assessments of third-party applications and their plugin architectures, as the attack surface expands with each additional component that handles external data inputs.