CVE-2017-15258 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 "Read Access Violation starting at PDF!xmlParserInputRead+0x0000000000161a9c."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15258 affects IrfanView version 4.44 when used with the PDF plugin version 4.43, presenting a critical security risk that can lead to denial of service conditions and potentially more severe impacts. This issue manifests through improper handling of maliciously crafted pdf files within the application's pdf plugin component, specifically during the parsing process of xml data structures. The flaw occurs when IrfanView attempts to process a specially crafted pdf file that contains malformed xml content, leading to memory access violations that can crash the application or potentially allow for more sophisticated exploitation techniques.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the pdf plugin's xmlParserInputRead function which fails to properly validate input data before processing. When a malicious pdf file is opened, the xml parser encounters unexpected data patterns that cause it to attempt reading from invalid memory addresses, resulting in a read access violation at the specific address PDF!xmlParserInputRead+0x0000000000161a9c. This memory access violation represents a classic buffer over-read condition where the parser attempts to access memory beyond the allocated bounds of its data structures, creating an unstable execution environment that can lead to application crashes or unpredictable behavior. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read, which is a common class of memory safety issues that can be exploited for various malicious purposes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can potentially enable attackers to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges within the affected system. When an unsuspecting user opens a malicious pdf file, the application crashes immediately, disrupting normal workflow and potentially providing an attacker with a means to exploit additional vulnerabilities within the system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a widely used image viewer application that many users trust and frequently open pdf files with, making it a prime target for social engineering attacks. Attackers can craft pdf files that appear legitimate but contain malicious xml structures designed to trigger this specific memory access violation.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can leverage the denial of service condition to deliver additional payloads or establish persistence mechanisms. The vulnerability also aligns with T1190 (Exploit Public-Facing Application) since it affects an application that processes files from external sources, making it suitable for web-based exploitation campaigns. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of validating all input data, particularly when dealing with complex file formats that require extensive parsing of structured data such as xml documents within document processing applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15258 should include immediate patching of the IrfanView application and its pdf plugin to the latest versions that contain memory safety improvements and input validation fixes. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent users from opening pdf files from untrusted sources, particularly those received via email attachments or downloaded from unverified websites. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help block malicious pdf files before they reach end users. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening pdf files from unknown sources, and system administrators should consider implementing sandboxing techniques to isolate pdf processing operations from the main system environment. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar memory safety issues in other applications that process complex file formats. The vulnerability also highlights the need for proper memory management practices in software development, including the implementation of bounds checking, input validation, and regular security code reviews to prevent similar issues from occurring in future versions of software applications.