CVE-2017-15243 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE
IrfanView version 4.44 (32bit) with PDF plugin version 4.43 allows attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted .pdf file, related to a "Possible Stack Corruption starting at PDF!xmlGetGlobalState+0x00000000000568a4."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2019
CVE-2017-15243 represents a critical stack corruption vulnerability affecting IrfanView 4.44 with PDF plugin 4.43, where crafted malicious PDF files can trigger denial of service conditions or potentially lead to arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the PDF plugin's handling of malformed PDF structures, specifically at the PDF!xmlGetGlobalState function address 0x00000000000568a4. The flaw manifests when the application processes specially crafted PDF files that contain malformed XML data structures, causing the stack pointer to become corrupted during parsing operations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that occurs when data is written beyond the bounds of a stack buffer. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic, as it involves manipulation of application parsing behavior through crafted input data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to prepare a malicious PDF file containing specifically crafted XML elements that trigger the buffer overflow condition when IrfanView attempts to parse the document structure. The stack corruption occurs during the XML parsing phase of PDF processing, where the application fails to properly validate the size and structure of XML data elements within the PDF file. When the PDF plugin encounters malformed XML data, it attempts to allocate memory on the stack without proper bounds checking, leading to overwrite of adjacent stack memory locations. This corruption can result in application crashes, denial of service conditions, or in some cases, allow for remote code execution if the attacker can control the overwritten memory locations to redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it affects a widely used image viewer application that many users trust to handle various file formats, making it an attractive target for social engineering attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. When an unsuspecting user opens a malicious PDF file through IrfanView, the application crashes or behaves unpredictably, potentially allowing remote attackers to gain control of the system. This vulnerability affects users who rely on IrfanView for document viewing and image processing, particularly in enterprise environments where users may encounter untrusted PDF files. The attack vector is straightforward, requiring only that a user opens a specially crafted PDF file, making it a significant risk for organizations that do not maintain current software versions or have proper input validation controls in place. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that IrfanView is often used in environments where users may not be security-aware and could inadvertently trigger the exploit through normal document viewing activities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15243 should focus on immediate software updates and defensive measures. Users should upgrade to IrfanView version 4.45 or later, which includes patches addressing the PDF plugin stack corruption vulnerability. Organizations should implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted PDF files through IrfanView and other vulnerable applications. Network-based defenses should include PDF file content filtering and sandboxing of suspicious documents before user access. System administrators should disable or remove the PDF plugin from IrfanView installations where it is not required, as this eliminates the attack surface entirely. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening PDF files from untrusted sources, and security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation in preventing stack-based buffer overflow conditions, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework.