CVE-2017-15744 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE
IrfanView 4.50 - 64bit with CADImage plugin version 12.0.0.5 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service via a crafted .dwg file, related to a "Read Access Violation on Control Flow starting at CADIMAGE+0x00000000003d35a7."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/08/2026
The vulnerability CVE-2017-15744 represents a critical security flaw in IrfanView 64-bit version 4.50 when utilizing the CADImage plugin version 12.0.0.5. This issue stems from improper input validation within the CADImage plugin's handling of AutoCAD Drawing (.dwg) files, creating a path for malicious actors to exploit the software through specially crafted file formats. The vulnerability specifically manifests as a read access violation occurring at the control flow address CADIMAGE+0x00000000003d35a7, indicating a fundamental flaw in how the plugin processes structured data elements. The flaw exists in the plugin's memory management routines where it fails to properly validate buffer boundaries when parsing .dwg file headers and subsequent data structures, allowing attackers to manipulate the execution flow through malformed input sequences.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully constructed .dwg file that triggers memory corruption during the parsing process. When IrfanView loads such a malformed file, the CADImage plugin attempts to read data from memory locations that either do not exist or contain unauthorized data, resulting in either arbitrary code execution or system crash. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-125: Out-of-bounds Read, which is classified as a memory safety issue in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The control flow violation at the specific memory address suggests that the plugin's instruction pointer is being manipulated through buffer overflow conditions or invalid memory references. Attackers can leverage this weakness to inject malicious code into the memory space of the running IrfanView process, potentially escalating privileges or executing arbitrary commands on the victim's system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on IrfanView for image processing tasks, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted files from external sources or email attachments. The denial of service aspect of the vulnerability means that legitimate users could be disrupted through simple file delivery attacks that cause application crashes or system instability. The arbitrary code execution capability transforms this into a potential full compromise vector, especially when combined with other exploitation techniques or when IrfanView is run with elevated privileges. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where image viewing applications are frequently used for document review and collaboration processes, as attackers could use this to establish persistent access or conduct reconnaissance activities through the compromised application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15744 should focus on immediate plugin updates and software version management to address the root cause of the memory handling flaw. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent automatic loading of potentially malicious .dwg files, particularly in high-risk environments or when files originate from untrusted sources. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1059: Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting the need for network-level controls and application whitelisting solutions. System administrators should consider disabling the CADImage plugin entirely if .dwg file processing is not essential to their workflow, or ensure that all plugins are updated to versions that have addressed this specific memory safety issue. Additionally, implementing sandboxing techniques for image processing applications and regular security assessments of third-party plugins can help prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in the future, as this flaw represents a typical example of insufficient input validation in plugin architectures.