CVE-2017-15787 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 "Data Execution Prevention Violation starting at xnview+0x0000000000580063."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/29/2019
CVE-2017-15787 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 specifically manifests as a Data Execution Prevention violation occurring at the memory address xnview+0x0000000000580063, indicating a memory corruption issue within the application's handling of AutoCAD drawing files. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation and memory management when processing .dwg file structures, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by attackers to bypass modern security mechanisms including DEP and ASLR protections.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a specially formatted .dwg file that triggers memory corruption during the parsing process, ultimately leading to execution of malicious code at the specified memory location. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though the specific manifestation suggests a more complex memory corruption scenario that affects executable memory regions. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it can also result in denial of service conditions, effectively crashing the application or rendering it unusable for legitimate users. The memory address mentioned in the vulnerability description indicates a precise location where the exploitation occurs, suggesting that attackers could potentially develop reliable exploits that target this specific offset within the application's memory space.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on XnView Classic for image processing tasks, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted .dwg files from external sources. The attack surface expands when considering that .dwg files are commonly shared in engineering and architectural contexts, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in professional settings. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of known vulnerabilities, and represents a classic example of how legacy software applications can contain critical security flaws that persist long after their initial release. Organizations using affected versions of XnView Classic face potential compromise of their systems through this vector, as attackers can leverage the vulnerability to gain unauthorized access or disrupt normal operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15787 should prioritize immediate software updates to the latest version of XnView Classic that addresses the memory handling issues in .dwg file processing. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies that prevent automatic processing of .dwg files from untrusted sources, while also considering network-level controls to block .dwg file transfers when possible. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying application whitelisting solutions that restrict execution of vulnerable applications unless explicitly authorized, and implement memory protection mechanisms such as DEP and ASLR to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security assessments and patch management for legacy applications, as it represents a failure in proper input validation and memory management practices that could have been prevented through more rigorous software development security measures.