CVE-2017-9536 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 "Read Access Violation on Control Flow starting at FPX!FPX_GetScanDevicePropertyGroup+0x00000000000014eb."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9536 affects IrfanView version 4.44 when used with the FPX Plugin version 4.46, presenting a critical security risk that can be exploited through maliciously crafted .fpx files. This issue manifests as a read access violation within the control flow of the FPX plugin component, specifically at the FPX_GetScanDevicePropertyGroup function where the memory access violation occurs at offset 0x00000000000014eb. The flaw represents a classic buffer overflow condition that can be triggered during the processing of malformed image files, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted image content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully constructed .fpx file that manipulates the memory access patterns within the FPX plugin's scanning device property group retrieval mechanism. When IrfanView attempts to process such a malicious file, the application's memory management fails to properly validate input data, leading to a control flow interruption that can result in either arbitrary code execution or a complete application crash. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which encompasses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to information disclosure or system compromise. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service as it can be leveraged for remote code execution, making it a significant threat vector for attackers targeting systems running vulnerable IrfanView installations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9536 is substantial across multiple threat vectors including email attachments, web downloads, and file sharing scenarios where users might inadvertently open malicious .fpx files. Attackers can craft these files to exploit the memory access violation and gain unauthorized code execution privileges within the context of the IrfanView process, potentially allowing them to escalate their privileges or establish persistent access to affected systems. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the compromised application. The vulnerability's exploitation requires no special privileges beyond the ability to deliver a malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users have elevated permissions or where the application is used in automated workflows.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of IrfanView and the FPX plugin where available, as the vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent releases. Network administrators should consider implementing file type restrictions and content filtering for .fpx files, particularly in environments where users might encounter untrusted content. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening unknown image files and the importance of keeping software updated. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in multimedia processing libraries and the potential for memory corruption issues to lead to complete system compromise. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious file processing activities and unusual memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of known vulnerable applications until proper patches are deployed.