CVE-2017-9876 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 "Data from Faulting Address controls Code Flow starting at FPX!FPX_GetScanDevicePropertyGroup+0x000000000000c995."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9876 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in IrfanView version 4.44 when utilizing the FPX Plugin version 4.46. This security issue manifests through the improper handling of maliciously crafted .fpx files, which are formatted using the FlashPix image format. The vulnerability specifically occurs within the FPX_GetScanDevicePropertyGroup function at offset 0x000000000000c995, where data from a faulting address directly influences code flow execution. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with a classic stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability, where attacker-controlled input exceeds the bounds of allocated memory buffers, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-documented pattern that aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions. Attackers can craft malicious .fpx files that contain oversized data structures or malformed headers, causing the FPX plugin to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. When the vulnerable function processes these crafted inputs, the faulting address data becomes part of the execution flow, potentially allowing attackers to redirect program execution to malicious code. This type of vulnerability operates under the ATT&CK framework category of Execution through DLL side-loading or direct code injection techniques, where the compromised application serves as a vector for malicious payload delivery. The 32-bit architecture of the affected IrfanView version exacerbates the risk, as the memory layout and addressing mechanisms provide fewer protections against such exploitation patterns compared to 64-bit implementations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9876 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise potential. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the IrfanView process, which typically runs with user-level permissions but can potentially escalate to higher privileges depending on system configurations. The vulnerability affects any system running the specific combination of IrfanView 4.44 with FPX Plugin 4.46, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where image viewing applications are frequently used. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that many users may unknowingly open malicious files, especially in email attachments or file sharing scenarios, making it an attractive target for social engineering attacks. Additionally, the vulnerability's presence in a widely used image viewer application increases the attack surface significantly, as users often trust such applications to handle various file types without additional security scrutiny.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9876 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as the vulnerability has been addressed through updates to both IrfanView and the FPX Plugin. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures, particularly for image files received through untrusted sources, and consider deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of vulnerable plugins. Security configurations should include disabling unnecessary plugins and restricting file type associations to reduce attack surface. Network-based defenses should include content filtering mechanisms that can identify and block potentially malicious .fpx files, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious execution patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping third-party plugins and applications updated, as the FPX plugin represents a common vector for exploitation in multimedia applications. System administrators should also consider implementing behavioral monitoring to detect anomalous code execution patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on memory corruption indicators and unexpected process behavior.