CVE-2017-15737 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE
IrfanView 4.50 - 64bit with CADImage plugin version 12.0.0.5 allows attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted .dwg file, related to a "Read Access Violation starting at CADIMAGE+0x00000000003d246f."
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/07/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2017-15737 represents a critical denial of service condition affecting IrfanView 4.50 64-bit when utilizing the CADImage plugin version 12.0.0.5. This issue stems from improper input validation within the CAD plugin's handling of AutoCAD drawing files with the .dwg extension. The flaw manifests as a read access violation occurring at a specific memory address within the CADIMAGE module, indicating a classic buffer overflow or memory corruption vulnerability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through simple file manipulation, allowing remote attackers to exploit the application without requiring elevated privileges or complex attack vectors. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and more specifically aligns with CWE-20, representing input validation issues. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a vulnerability exploitation technique under the T1210 category, which involves exploitation of remote services or applications through malformed input. The attack surface is broad given IrfanView's widespread use as an image viewer across various industries and the prevalence of .dwg files in engineering and architectural contexts.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the CADImage plugin's insufficient validation of file headers and structure within the .dwg file format. When IrfanView processes a crafted .dwg file, the plugin attempts to read memory locations that are either uninitialized or outside the allocated buffer boundaries, leading to the access violation. The specific memory address mentioned in the vulnerability description points to a critical section within the CADIMAGE module where the application fails to properly validate the structure of the incoming data. This memory corruption results in application instability, causing IrfanView to crash or hang, thereby creating a denial of service condition. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption, as the vulnerability may potentially allow for arbitrary code execution depending on the exact memory corruption pattern and the target system's security configuration. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and highlights the importance of implementing proper bounds checking and input sanitization, particularly when dealing with binary formats that may contain maliciously crafted data structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant across multiple deployment scenarios where IrfanView is used for document review and image processing. Organizations relying on IrfanView for engineering documentation review, architectural design validation, or general image processing may face service interruptions when encountering maliciously crafted .dwg files. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also enterprise environments where automated document processing systems might be compromised through email attachments or shared network drives containing malicious files. In industrial control systems or design environments, this vulnerability could lead to production delays or operational disruptions, particularly when users inadvertently open compromised files. The potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that attackers might leverage this vulnerability for more sophisticated attacks, including privilege escalation or information disclosure, depending on the system configuration and the attacker's access level. This vulnerability represents a critical weakness in the application's defensive architecture and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation across all plugins and modules. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that .dwg files are commonly encountered in professional environments, making it a realistic target for social engineering attacks where attackers might send malicious files disguised as legitimate engineering documents.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15737 should focus on immediate patching of the affected IrfanView version and the CADImage plugin. Organizations should implement network-level controls to block or scan .dwg files, particularly when they originate from untrusted sources or when the file metadata appears suspicious. The principle of least privilege should be applied to limit the impact of potential exploitation by restricting user permissions when processing potentially malicious files. Regular security assessments should include vulnerability scanning of all installed applications and plugins to identify similar issues in the application ecosystem. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent unauthorized plugins from executing within the IrfanView environment. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring should be employed to detect and alert on unusual file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping third-party plugins and applications updated, as these components often represent the weakest link in security defenses. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms when processing untrusted files, particularly those in binary formats like .dwg that are prone to memory corruption vulnerabilities. Regular security awareness training for users on the risks of opening unknown file types and the importance of verifying file sources can significantly reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates that even seemingly benign applications can become attack vectors when they incorporate plugins with insufficient security controls, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing and validation of all software components in the application stack.