CVE-2017-15774 in XnView Classic
Summary
by MITRE
XnView Classic for Windows Version 2.43 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service via a crafted .dwg file, related to "Data from Faulting Address controls Code Flow starting at CADImage+0x0000000000221a9a."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15774 affects XnView Classic for Windows version 2.43 and represents a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution or denial of service through maliciously crafted .dwg files. This vulnerability resides within the CADImage component of the software, specifically at offset 0x0000000000221a9a, where data from a faulting address controls code flow. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and memory management when processing AutoCAD Drawing Database files, which are commonly used in engineering and architectural applications.
The technical flaw manifests as a buffer overflow or memory corruption vulnerability that occurs during the parsing of .dwg file structures. When the application encounters malformed data within the CADImage module, it fails to properly validate the input parameters before processing them, leading to unpredictable behavior in the execution flow. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-122 for heap-based buffer overflows. The faulting address mentioned in the vulnerability description indicates a specific memory location where the code execution flow becomes compromised, making this an exploitable condition that attackers can leverage for arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute malicious code on vulnerable systems with the privileges of the user running XnView Classic. This presents a significant risk in enterprise environments where users might open untrusted files from email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. The vulnerability affects systems running Windows operating systems and can be exploited through social engineering attacks where users are tricked into opening malicious .dwg files. The attack surface is particularly concerning given the widespread use of AutoCAD and related file formats in professional environments, making this vulnerability a prime target for threat actors seeking to compromise office networks.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of XnView Classic to version 2.44 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies and consider deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of untrusted .dwg files. Network segmentation and endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious file handling activities, particularly around AutoCAD and CAD-related file formats. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening files from untrusted sources and the importance of keeping software updated. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in multimedia and document processing applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, which are commonly used by attackers to establish persistent access through compromised applications.