CVE-2017-2803 in PHOTO-PAINT X8
Summary
by MITRE
A remote out of bound write vulnerability exists in the TIFF parsing functionality of Core PHOTO-PAINT X8 version 18.1.0.661. A specially crafted TIFF file can cause a vulnerability resulting in potential memory corruption. An attacker can send the victim a specific TIFF file to trigger this vulnerability. This vulnerability only exists in the 64-bit version.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/31/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2803 represents a critical remote out of bounds write flaw within the Core PHOTO-PAINT X8 software suite, specifically affecting version 18.1.0.661. This issue resides within the TIFF file parsing component of the application, which serves as a fundamental functionality for handling image files. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices during the processing of TIFF format files, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the software's handling of malformed image data. The flaw specifically impacts the 64-bit architecture implementation, suggesting that the vulnerability may be related to pointer arithmetic or memory addressing differences between 32-bit and 64-bit systems, where the memory layout and addressing mechanisms could contribute to the overflow condition.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The flaw occurs when the application processes a specially crafted TIFF file that contains malformed data structures or incorrect metadata values that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries during parsing operations. When the software attempts to write data beyond the intended memory allocation, it can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical application data, heap metadata, or even executable code. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can lead to arbitrary code execution, allowing attackers to gain control over the victim's system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates a remote code execution vector that can be exploited through social engineering or automated attack delivery mechanisms. An attacker who successfully crafts a malicious TIFF file can deliver it through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms, where unsuspecting users might open the file with Core PHOTO-PAINT. The vulnerability's presence in the 64-bit version suggests that attackers may have optimized their payloads specifically for this architecture, potentially leveraging the larger address space and different memory management characteristics of 64-bit systems. This attack surface becomes particularly concerning in enterprise environments where image processing software is widely used, as it could serve as an initial compromise vector for more extensive attacks.
The exploitation of this vulnerability follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the use of scripting languages, and potentially T1203, which targets application execution through file format parsing. Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by the vendor, as well as network-level controls that can prevent the delivery of suspicious image files. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies, deploy sandboxing solutions for image file processing, and consider network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening unknown image files remains crucial, as this vulnerability can be effectively exploited through social engineering approaches that rely on user interaction with malicious files. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia processing applications, highlighting the need for robust software security testing and code review processes.