CVE-2017-9530 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE
IrfanView version 4.44 (32bit) might allow attackers to cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary code via a crafted file, related to "Data from Faulting Address is used as one or more arguments in a subsequent Function Call starting at ntdll_77df0000!LdrpResCompareResourceNames+0x0000000000000150."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9530 affects IrfanView version 4.44 32bit and represents a critical security flaw that can lead to remote code execution or denial of service conditions. This issue stems from improper handling of malformed input data within the image processing pipeline of the application, specifically when processing crafted files that trigger memory corruption during resource name comparison operations. The vulnerability manifests through the ntdll.dll component where a faulting address is used as arguments in subsequent function calls, creating a dangerous execution path that adversaries can exploit.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient validation of input data during image file parsing operations. When IrfanView processes a specially crafted file, the application fails to properly sanitize the resource name comparison logic, leading to a scenario where memory addresses containing corrupted data are passed as parameters to subsequent function calls. This pattern of memory corruption directly maps to common software security flaws classified under CWE-125 and CWE-787, which address out-of-bounds reads and improper input validation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at a low level within the Windows kernel, specifically within the ntdll_77df0000!LdrpResCompareResourceNames function where the faulting address is utilized, making it susceptible to exploitation through techniques such as heap spraying or return-oriented programming.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on IrfanView for image processing tasks, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted image files from external sources. The potential for remote code execution means that attackers could leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to systems, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malicious payloads. The denial of service component of this vulnerability could also be exploited to disrupt critical image processing workflows, particularly in automated environments where IrfanView is used as part of larger processing pipelines. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers exploitation of remote services, and T1059 which addresses command and scripting interpreter usage for persistence.
The exploitation of CVE-2017-9530 typically involves crafting a malicious image file that triggers the vulnerable code path during normal file processing operations. Attackers may use this vulnerability in phishing campaigns, web application attacks, or supply chain compromises where they can convince users to open malicious files. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread use of IrfanView across various industries including graphic design, digital forensics, and multimedia production, where users often process images from untrusted sources without proper sandboxing or validation. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling IrfanView in environments where untrusted files are processed, applying available patches from the vendor, and implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious file uploads. Additionally, system administrators should consider deploying memory protection mechanisms such as DEP and ASLR to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts.