CVE-2017-9535 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE
IrfanView version 4.44 (32bit) with FPX Plugin 4.46 allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service via a crafted .fpx file, related to a "User Mode Write AV starting at FPX!GetPlugInInfo+0x0000000000016e53."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9535 affects IrfanView version 4.44 when used with FPX Plugin version 4.46, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks through manipulation of specially crafted .fpx files. This vulnerability manifests within the user mode write access violation context, specifically occurring at the FPX!GetPlugInInfo function address offset 0x0000000000016e53, indicating a memory corruption issue that directly impacts the plugin's ability to process image files safely. The flaw resides in the file format processing mechanism where the FPX plugin fails to properly validate input data from .fpx files, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a malicious .fpx file that triggers a buffer overflow or memory corruption during the plugin's processing of image metadata or header information. When IrfanView loads such a file through the vulnerable FPX plugin, the application encounters an access violation at the specified memory address, which can result in program termination or potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code within the application's memory space. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which deals with stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and may also relate to CWE-125, representing out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides attackers with potential paths to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities on affected systems. An attacker could construct a malicious .fpx file that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, would trigger the memory corruption and potentially allow for privilege escalation or system compromise. The vulnerability affects systems where IrfanView is installed with the vulnerable FPX plugin, making it particularly concerning for environments where users might encounter untrusted image files or where automated processing of image files occurs. This flaw can be exploited through social engineering tactics where users are tricked into opening malicious files, or through automated attacks targeting systems that process image files.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of IrfanView to version 4.45 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to address the buffer overflow condition in the FPX plugin. Organizations should also implement strict file validation procedures and restrict the execution of image plugins to trusted sources only. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, which involves exploitation of known vulnerabilities, and T1059, representing command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers might leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access or execute malicious payloads. Additionally, network segmentation and application whitelisting controls can help reduce the attack surface by preventing unauthorized plugins from executing within the IrfanView environment. System administrators should also monitor for suspicious file access patterns and implement automated scanning of image files to detect potentially malicious content before it can be processed by vulnerable applications.