CVE-2017-9880 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+0x0000000000007236."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9880 affects IrfanView version 4.44 when used with the FPX Plugin version 4.46, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks through maliciously crafted .fpx files. This vulnerability manifests within the FPX plugin's handling of malformed image data, specifically targeting the code flow at address FPX+0x0000000000007236 where faulting address data directly influences program execution control. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the image parsing routine, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate program execution flow through carefully constructed file structures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic buffer overflow pattern where attacker-controlled data from a faulting memory address influences code execution flow within the FPX plugin module. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. The attack vector leverages the plugin's failure to properly validate image file headers and data structures, allowing malicious input to overwrite critical program memory locations. When IrfanView processes the crafted .fpx file, the FPX plugin attempts to parse the malformed data structure, causing the program to jump to an attacker-controlled memory address rather than following normal execution flow. This behavior directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables arbitrary code execution through the compromised image processing pipeline.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to include potential system compromise and denial of service scenarios. An attacker could craft a malicious .fpx file that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, would execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the IrfanView process. This represents a significant threat in environments where users might encounter untrusted image files through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing systems. The vulnerability affects the software's image parsing functionality specifically, making it particularly dangerous in scenarios where image viewing applications are frequently used to process external content. The denial of service aspect occurs when the malformed file causes the application to crash or become unresponsive, potentially disrupting user workflows and system availability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9880 should focus on immediate patch application and operational security measures. The most effective solution involves updating IrfanView to version 4.45 or later, which includes fixes for the FPX plugin vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent automatic execution of image files from untrusted sources, particularly in email systems and web applications. Network-level controls such as file type filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional defense in depth. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and endpoint detection systems that can identify suspicious file processing activities. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of plugin security testing and input validation for third-party components, as the issue originates from the FPX plugin rather than the core IrfanView application. Regular security assessments of image processing libraries and plugins should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that could enable similar attack vectors.