CVE-2017-9883 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+0x0000000000007216."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9883 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 issue stems from improper input validation within the FPX plugin's handling of image data, creating a dangerous condition where attacker-controlled data can influence the program's execution flow. The vulnerability manifests at the specific memory address FPX+0x0000000000007216, indicating a precise location within the plugin's code where the faulting address directly controls code flow, making this a classic buffer overflow or memory corruption vulnerability. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate memory contents through carefully constructed file data, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution within the context of the IrfanView application process.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, both of which are common in image processing libraries where buffer boundaries are not properly enforced. The attack vector involves a malicious .fpx file that, when opened by IrfanView with the vulnerable FPX plugin, triggers an exploitable condition at the specified memory address. This memory corruption allows attackers to redirect program execution flow, potentially executing arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running IrfanView. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution to include denial of service scenarios where the application crashes or becomes unresponsive due to memory corruption. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where users might open untrusted image files, as it can be exploited through social engineering attacks or automated exploitation campaigns targeting the specific software version.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on IrfanView for image processing tasks, especially in environments where users might encounter malicious files through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. The vulnerability exists in a widely used image viewer application, making it a prime target for exploit development and automated attack tools. The specific memory address mentioned in the vulnerability description suggests this is a precise exploit that could be easily automated by threat actors, as it points to a location where control flow can be directly manipulated. Attackers leveraging this vulnerability could potentially execute malicious code on target systems, establish persistence mechanisms, or escalate privileges depending on the execution context and user permissions. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw means that exploitation can occur without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where such applications are widely deployed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9883 should prioritize immediate software updates to the latest versions of IrfanView and the FPX plugin where the vulnerability has been patched. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent opening of untrusted image files, particularly those with .fpx extensions, until proper security controls are in place. Network-based protections such as intrusion detection systems and web application firewalls can help detect and block attempts to deliver malicious .fpx files through network channels. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of vulnerable applications or versions, while also monitoring for exploitation attempts through log analysis and behavioral monitoring. The vulnerability's nature as a memory corruption issue makes it susceptible to exploit mitigation techniques such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention, though these are secondary to the primary requirement of patching the underlying vulnerability. System administrators should also consider segmenting user access to image processing applications and implementing least privilege principles to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other image processing software components.