CVE-2017-15263 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 "Data from Faulting Address controls Branch Selection starting at PDF!xmlListWalk+0x00000000000166c4."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15263 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 or potentially more severe unspecified impacts. This issue stems from improper handling of malformed PDF files within the image viewing application's PDF plugin component, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the software's processing mechanisms. The vulnerability specifically manifests during the execution of PDF!xmlListWalk function where data from a faulting address controls branch selection, indicating a classic buffer overflow or memory corruption scenario that can disrupt normal application operation.
The technical flaw resides in the PDF plugin's inability to properly validate and sanitize input data from crafted PDF files, allowing attackers to manipulate memory addresses and control program execution flow. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and more specifically relates to CWE-248, indicating an exception is thrown but not caught. The faulting address controls branch selection mechanism suggests that the vulnerability exploits control flow hijacking techniques, potentially enabling attackers to redirect program execution to malicious code locations. The specific address offset 0x00000000000166c4 in the PDF!xmlListWalk function indicates a precise memory manipulation attack vector that can be leveraged to cause unpredictable behavior in the application's execution path.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it creates potential for more serious security consequences including arbitrary code execution or system compromise. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability through a crafted PDF file, the application may crash, hang, or potentially allow remote code execution depending on the specific memory corruption patterns. This vulnerability affects users who rely on IrfanView for document viewing, particularly in environments where untrusted PDF files might be encountered, such as email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. The impact is particularly concerning because IrfanView is widely used across various industries including government, finance, and healthcare sectors where document security is paramount.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest versions of IrfanView and its PDF plugin where available, implementing strict file validation policies for PDF content, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. System administrators should consider disabling PDF plugin functionality in IrfanView until proper patches are applied, and users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted PDF files. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in software development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers legitimate program execution through various attack vectors including application-specific exploits. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the need for robust software supply chain security measures and regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited in the wild.