CVE-2017-15799 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!EnumResourceNamesInternal+0x000000000000074a."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2021
CVE-2017-15799 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 flaw occurs when the software attempts to process a maliciously crafted .dll file during icon rendering operations, specifically at the KERNELBASE!EnumResourceNamesInternal function where a faulting address controls branch selection. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 CWE category, which encompasses buffer overflow conditions where data from an external source is copied into a fixed-length buffer without proper bounds checking. The attack vector exploits the application's failure to validate input parameters during resource enumeration, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled data can manipulate the execution flow of the program. This issue is particularly concerning because it allows for arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions, making it a prime target for exploitation in targeted attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the flaw can potentially enable remote code execution within the context of the user running IrfanView. When a malicious .dll file is loaded and processed by the application, the improper handling of the faulting address during branch selection creates an opportunity for attackers to inject and execute malicious code. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, and T1203 which involves exploitation for privilege escalation. The specific location of the vulnerability at KERNELBASE!EnumResourceNamesInternal indicates that the issue stems from Windows system-level function handling, making it particularly dangerous as it operates at a low level within the operating system's memory management. The 64-bit architecture version of IrfanView presents unique challenges since the vulnerability can leverage different memory addressing patterns compared to 32-bit versions, potentially allowing for more sophisticated exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15799 should focus on immediate application updates and system hardening measures. The most effective approach involves upgrading to a patched version of IrfanView that addresses the buffer overflow condition in the DLL processing routine. System administrators should implement strict file type validation and restrict the execution of untrusted dynamic link libraries within the application environment. Additional protective measures include deploying application whitelisting solutions such as Windows Defender Application Control or similar technologies to prevent execution of unauthorized DLL files. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing proper input validation and bounds checking in all software applications, particularly those that handle external file processing. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their software environments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other applications that may be susceptible to similar exploitation patterns. Network segmentation and user access controls can further limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual file processing activities that may indicate attempted exploitation of this vulnerability.