CVE-2017-15775 in XnView Classic
Summary
by MITRE
XnView Classic for Windows Version 2.43 allows attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted .dwg file, related to "Data from Faulting Address controls Branch Selection starting at CADImage+0x0000000000259aa4."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/28/2019
CVE-2017-15775 represents a critical vulnerability in XnView Classic for Windows version 2.43 that demonstrates a classic buffer overflow condition within the CADImage parsing component. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes maliciously crafted .dwg files, which are AutoCAD drawing files commonly used in engineering and architectural applications. The flaw occurs at CADImage+0x0000000000259aa4, where data from a faulting address directly controls branch selection, creating an exploitable condition that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically aligns with CWE-125, indicating out-of-bounds read conditions that can result in unpredictable behavior. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability represents a significant risk to organizations that process CAD files from untrusted sources, as attackers can craft malicious files that trigger the vulnerability through normal file processing operations. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges or user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it an ideal candidate for automated exploitation campaigns. The denial of service impact can be severe as the application crashes and becomes unavailable for legitimate use, while the unspecified other impacts suggest potential for privilege escalation or remote code execution. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers legitimate programs used for exploitation, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreter usage, as the exploitation could lead to further system compromise. Organizations using XnView Classic should immediately implement patch management procedures to update to versions that address this vulnerability, while network administrators should consider implementing file type restrictions and content filtering to prevent processing of .dwg files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in legacy software systems, particularly those handling complex file formats that require extensive parsing logic. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems that can identify attempts to process malicious .dwg files. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the need for regular security assessments of third-party applications, as legacy software often contains unpatched vulnerabilities that can serve as entry points for sophisticated attack campaigns. The exploitation of this vulnerability can result in complete system compromise, particularly in environments where XnView Classic is used to process documents from external sources, making it a critical priority for immediate remediation.