CVE-2017-8369 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE
IrfanView version 4.44 (32bit) has a "Data from Faulting Address controls Branch Selection starting at USER32!wvsprintfA+0x00000000000002f3" issue, which might allow attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8369 affects IrfanView version 4.44 32bit and represents a critical security flaw that stems from improper handling of data from faulting addresses within the USER32.dll module. This issue manifests during the execution of the wvsprintfA function at offset 0x2f3, where the program's branch selection logic becomes controllable by malicious input data. The vulnerability falls under the category of control flow hijacking, which is classified as CWE-122 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, specifically addressing buffer overflow conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The technical flaw occurs when IrfanView processes a specially crafted file that triggers an exception handling path within the Windows USER32 subsystem. During this faulting process, the address from the faulting memory location directly influences the program's conditional branch selection mechanism, creating an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled data can manipulate program execution flow. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the kernel level within Windows system libraries, making it difficult to detect and prevent through standard application-level security measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote code execution attacks that can be initiated through simple file manipulation. An attacker can craft a malicious file that, when opened by an unsuspecting user with IrfanView 4.44 installed, will trigger the vulnerable code path and provide remote code execution capabilities. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers exploitation for execution through malicious file formats, and T1059 which covers command and scripting interpreter usage for execution. The vulnerability affects any Windows system running the affected IrfanView version, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where image viewing applications are commonly used.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of IrfanView to version 4.45 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer handling issues. System administrators should also implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized image processing applications and deploy network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file handling activities. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted image files and the importance of keeping software updated. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper exception handling and memory management in security-critical applications, particularly those that process untrusted input data. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for image viewing applications to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.