CVE-2017-9877 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+0x000000000000c998."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9877 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 represents a classic buffer overflow condition that occurs within the FPX plugin's handling of image data, specifically during the processing of scan device property groups. The flaw manifests at the memory address FPX!FPX_GetScanDevicePropertyGroup+0x000000000000c998, indicating that the vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the plugin's code execution path.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The faulting address specifically points to a code flow control issue where data from an untrusted source directly influences the execution path, creating an ideal environment for arbitrary code execution attacks. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which encompasses the execution of malicious code through application input manipulation, particularly in image processing contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise. Attackers can craft malicious .fpx files that, when opened by an affected IrfanView instance, trigger memory corruption that allows remote code execution with the privileges of the affected user. The 32-bit architecture of the vulnerable version compounds the risk by limiting available memory protection mechanisms and increasing the likelihood of successful exploitation through stack-based attacks. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where users frequently open untrusted image files, making it a significant concern for enterprise security and personal computing environments alike.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the affected software versions, as well as implementing restrictive file handling policies that prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious image files. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting controls to restrict the execution of IrfanView and its plugins to trusted environments only. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in image processing libraries, as highlighted by ATT&CK technique T1203 which addresses the exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file transfers and execution patterns associated with this type of attack vector.