CVE-2017-15781 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 a "Read Access Violation on Control Flow starting at CADImage+0x0000000000286a76."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2019
CVE-2017-15781 represents a critical vulnerability in XnView Classic for Windows version 2.43 that exposes users to potential arbitrary code execution or denial of service attacks through maliciously crafted .dwg files. This vulnerability stems from a read access violation occurring at the control flow level within the CADImage component of the software, specifically at the memory address CADImage+0x0000000000286a76. The flaw manifests when the application processes improperly formatted AutoCAD Drawing files, which are commonly used in engineering and architectural contexts. The vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and more specifically aligns with CWE-248, indicating an exception not caught by the application. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow through controlled input data, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The attack vector requires the victim to open a specially crafted .dwg file, which triggers the memory access violation and subsequent control flow disruption.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the application's insufficient input validation mechanisms when processing CAD files. When XnView Classic attempts to parse the malicious .dwg file, it encounters malformed data structures that cause the program to attempt reading memory locations outside the intended bounds of the CADImage component. This memory access violation occurs at a specific offset within the application's memory space, indicating a precise code path that attackers can exploit. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service to include arbitrary code execution, making it a severe security risk for any system that processes CAD files through this software. The control flow disruption at CADImage+0x0000000000286a76 suggests that the application's error handling mechanisms fail to properly manage memory access violations, allowing the attacker to potentially redirect program execution to malicious code. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreter, as the successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15781 extends across multiple security domains, particularly affecting organizations that rely heavily on CAD file processing and document management systems. Enterprise environments that use XnView Classic for viewing or managing engineering drawings become vulnerable to remote code execution attacks, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access to critical infrastructure. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used image viewer application means that the attack surface is extensive, as users may unknowingly open malicious CAD files from email attachments, shared network drives, or web downloads. Organizations with legacy systems or those that have not updated their software versions remain particularly at risk, as the vulnerability existed in the 2.43 release and likely persisted in subsequent versions without proper patching. The denial of service aspect of this vulnerability can also be leveraged for business disruption attacks, where attackers systematically target organizations by sending malicious CAD files that cause application crashes and service interruptions. Security teams must consider this vulnerability as part of their comprehensive threat modeling efforts, particularly in environments where CAD files are frequently exchanged and processed through unpatched applications. The vulnerability's classification as a control flow disruption makes it particularly challenging to detect through standard network monitoring, as the malicious activity occurs within the application's memory space rather than through network-based attacks. This characteristic also means that traditional network firewalls and intrusion detection systems may not effectively prevent exploitation, requiring application-level security controls and user education to mitigate the risk adequately.