CVE-2017-15795 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 a "Read Access Violation starting at ntdll!LdrpSearchResourceSection_U+0x00000000000002bd."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2021
CVE-2017-15795 represents a critical denial of service vulnerability affecting IrfanView version 4.50 64-bit installations. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of crafted dynamic link library files during the icon rendering process, specifically manifesting as a read access violation within the ntdll module. The flaw occurs when IrfanView attempts to process a maliciously constructed .dll file to extract its icon representation, triggering a memory access violation that can result in application crashes or system instability. This issue falls under the category of improper input validation and memory management errors, with direct implications for software security and system reliability. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through simple file manipulation without requiring elevated privileges, making it accessible to a wide range of potential attackers.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of a specific memory access pattern within the Windows operating system's loader component. When IrfanView encounters a malformed .dll file during icon extraction, the application attempts to traverse memory regions that are either unmapped or protected, leading to the read access violation at ntdll!LdrpSearchResourceSection_U+0x00000000000002bd. This particular memory address represents a function within the Windows loader that handles resource section searching, indicating that the vulnerability lies in how the application interfaces with Windows system libraries during file processing. The flaw is classified as a heap-based buffer overflow and memory corruption issue that can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution depending on the system configuration and memory layout. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write patterns commonly found in software exploitation scenarios.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15795 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks depending on the execution environment. An attacker could leverage this vulnerability to cause persistent system instability, particularly in environments where IrfanView is frequently used for file processing or in automated systems that rely on the application for image handling tasks. The vulnerability's potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that under certain conditions, it might provide a foothold for further exploitation or privilege escalation attacks. In enterprise environments, this vulnerability could be particularly dangerous as it could be exploited through email attachments, file sharing systems, or web-based file uploads, potentially compromising entire networks if exploited successfully. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would likely fall under T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables initial access through file manipulation and can lead to broader system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15795 should prioritize immediate patching of IrfanView installations to version 4.51 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. System administrators should implement strict file validation procedures for any files processed through IrfanView, including virus scanning and content verification before processing. Network-level defenses should include email filtering and web proxy configurations that prevent the delivery of potentially malicious .dll files to end-user systems. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of IrfanView or similar applications to trusted environments only. Additionally, regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify other potential vulnerabilities in image processing applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management in software development, particularly for applications that handle untrusted file formats and user-provided content.