CVE-2017-8766 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE
IrfanView version 4.44 (32bit) allows remote attackers to execute code via a crafted .mov file, because of a "User Mode Write AV near NULL" issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8766 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow condition within IrfanView version 4.44 32bit media processing functionality. This flaw specifically manifests when the application processes maliciously crafted .mov video files through its QuickTime plugin component, creating a pathway for remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the application's multimedia handling routines, particularly affecting the processing of MOV container format files that utilize QuickTime codecs.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in a "User Mode Write AV near NULL" condition which occurs during memory allocation and data processing operations. When IrfanView attempts to parse the crafted .mov file, the application fails to properly validate the structure and size of data elements within the file header or metadata sections. This validation failure results in a write operation occurring at an invalid memory address near NULL, causing an access violation that can be exploited by attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the vulnerable application. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, though the specific manifestation involves heap corruption and memory management issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential system compromise and privilege escalation scenarios. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute malicious payloads without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where IrfanView is used to process untrusted media content. The vulnerability affects the application's ability to safely handle multimedia files, potentially allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems, execute malicious code, or establish persistent access points. The remote nature of the attack vector means that exploitation can occur through email attachments, web downloads, or any mechanism that delivers the malicious .mov file to an affected system.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to mitigate this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of IrfanView to versions that address the heap corruption issue. Organizations should also deploy network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious .mov file transfers, while implementing strict file type validation and content scanning procedures. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, making it a significant concern for enterprise security teams. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted multimedia files and organizations should establish secure file handling protocols that prevent automatic execution of media content within vulnerable applications. The mitigation strategy should also include regular security assessments of multimedia processing applications and implementation of sandboxing techniques to isolate potentially malicious file processing operations.