CVE-2017-15792 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE
IrfanView version 4.50 (64bit) allows attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted .dll file that is mishandled during an attempt to render the DLL icon, related to "Data from Faulting Address controls Branch Selection starting at KERNELBASE!EnumResourceTypesInternal+0x00000000000007b2."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2021
CVE-2017-15792 represents a critical vulnerability in IrfanView version 4.50 64-bit that demonstrates a classic buffer overflow condition within the application's dynamic link library handling mechanism. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the software attempts to process a maliciously crafted .dll file during icon rendering operations, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled data can manipulate the program's execution flow. The flaw originates from the KERNELBASE!EnumResourceTypesInternal function at offset 0x7b2, which serves as the faulting address in the execution path. This location represents a critical point in the Windows kernel where resource enumeration occurs, making it a prime target for exploitation. 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 lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a specially formatted .dll file that, when processed by IrfanView, triggers the malformed data handling within the KERNELBASE component. During normal operation, IrfanView attempts to extract and display icons from various file types including dynamic link libraries, which is a legitimate function for identifying executable files within the user interface. However, when encountering a maliciously constructed .dll with malformed resource headers, the EnumResourceTypesInternal function fails to properly validate the input data, leading to memory corruption. This memory corruption can result in unpredictable behavior, including application crashes that manifest as denial of service conditions, or in more severe cases, allow for privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution within the context of the running IrfanView process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at a low level within the Windows kernel, making it difficult to detect and mitigate through conventional application-level security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15792 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it represents a potential pathway for attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable versions of IrfanView. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may unknowingly open malicious attachments or download compromised files from untrusted sources. The attack surface is broad since IrfanView is widely used for image viewing and management, making it a common target for social engineering campaigns. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability can lead to complete system compromise, especially when combined with other attack vectors or when the target system has elevated privileges. The vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in system-level components, as the flaw exists in a fundamental Windows kernel function that is utilized by numerous applications. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their overall security posture, particularly in environments where file processing applications are frequently used and where users have the ability to execute arbitrary code.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15792 should focus on immediate patching of IrfanView to version 4.51 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to prevent the malformed .dll handling from causing system instability. System administrators should implement strict file type filtering and sandboxing measures to prevent users from opening potentially malicious files, particularly .dll files from untrusted sources. Network-level controls should be implemented to block suspicious file transfers and to monitor for unusual file processing patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing comprehensive patch management processes across all systems. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability relates to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, as it can be leveraged to execute malicious code and potentially escalate privileges. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized binaries, which can provide additional protection against exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should include testing for similar vulnerabilities in other image processing and file handling applications that may be susceptible to similar buffer overflow conditions.