CVE-2017-6078 in MaxView
Summary
by MITRE
FastStone MaxView 3.0 and 3.1 allows user-assisted attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a malformed BMP image with a crafted biSize field in the BITMAPINFOHEADER section.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/16/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6078 affects FastStone MaxView versions 3.0 and 3.1, representing a critical denial of service weakness that can be exploited through crafted malicious media files. This vulnerability resides within the image parsing functionality of the software, specifically targeting the handling of bitmap image files. The flaw manifests when the application processes a malformed.bmp file containing a specially crafted biSize field within the BITMAPINFOHEADER structure, leading to an application crash that results in complete service disruption. The vulnerability is classified as user-assisted, meaning an attacker must convince a user to open the malicious file for the exploit to be successful, though this does not mitigate the severity of the impact.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the bitmap image parser component of FastStone MaxView. The BITMAPINFOHEADER structure contains a biSize field that should specify the size of the structure itself, but when this field is manipulated to contain invalid or unexpected values, the application fails to properly handle the malformed data. This improper validation leads to memory corruption issues during the parsing process, causing the application to terminate abruptly without proper error handling mechanisms. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read errors, and CWE-248, which covers unspecified other errors, as the application does not adequately protect against malformed input data. The flaw represents a classic buffer overflow condition where the application attempts to read or write beyond allocated memory boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-6078 extends beyond simple application instability, as it can be leveraged in broader attack scenarios within environments where FastStone MaxView is commonly used. In enterprise settings where this software is deployed for image viewing and management, an attacker could potentially disrupt workflow processes by causing repeated application crashes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where users frequently open external files or receive attachments, as the attack vector requires minimal user interaction beyond opening the malicious file. This makes it an attractive target for social engineering campaigns where attackers could distribute malicious files through email attachments, file sharing platforms, or compromised websites. The vulnerability also affects systems where FastStone MaxView is integrated into automated workflows or digital asset management systems, potentially causing cascading failures in content processing pipelines.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate software updates to versions that address the malformed input handling issue, as well as implementing restrictive file validation policies. Organizations should consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious file transfers containing known malicious patterns. The implementation of application whitelisting policies can prevent unauthorized versions of FastStone MaxView from executing on systems, while regular security assessments should verify that all image processing applications are properly patched. From a defensive perspective, the vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation practices as outlined in the software security principles of the OWASP Top Ten, specifically addressing the prevention of injection flaws. Additionally, the ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1203 technique for legitimate credentials, as attackers may use this vector to disrupt services and create opportunities for further exploitation within compromised environments.