CVE-2017-9887 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE
IrfanView version 4.44 (32bit) with FPX Plugin 4.46 allows attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted .fpx file, related to "Data from Faulting Address is used as one or more arguments in a subsequent Function Call starting at FPX+0x000000000000688d."
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9887 affects IrfanView version 4.44 when used with the FPX Plugin version 4.46, representing a critical denial of service condition that could potentially lead to more severe consequences. This flaw manifests through manipulation of crafted .fpx files that exploit memory handling inconsistencies within the image processing pipeline. The vulnerability specifically targets the FPX plugin's handling of malformed image data, creating a scenario where faulty memory addresses are utilized as function arguments during subsequent code execution paths. The attack vector involves the exploitation of a memory access pattern where data retrieved from a faulting address is subsequently passed as parameters to function calls, creating a chain of operations that can destabilize the application's execution flow.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that occur when code accesses memory beyond the intended bounds. This particular flaw demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to memory corruption scenarios where the application attempts to use invalid memory addresses as parameters for function calls. The faulting address mentioned in the vulnerability description indicates that the application's memory management system fails to properly validate or sanitize input data from the malicious .fpx file, allowing attackers to manipulate memory pointers that are then used in subsequent function invocations. This creates a condition where the application's execution can be redirected or terminated unexpectedly.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems that rely on IrfanView for image processing tasks, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted image files from external sources. The potential for denial of service means that legitimate users could be prevented from accessing image files, while the unspecified other impacts suggest the possibility of arbitrary code execution or information disclosure. The attack requires minimal sophistication and can be executed through simple file manipulation, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently open image files from unknown sources. The vulnerability affects the 32-bit version of IrfanView specifically, indicating that the memory addressing and pointer handling characteristics of the 32-bit architecture contribute to the exploitability of this flaw.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9887 primarily involve immediate patching of the affected software versions to address the memory handling issues within the FPX plugin. System administrators should prioritize updating IrfanView to versions that include corrected memory validation routines and improved input sanitization for FPX file formats. Additionally, implementing file validation controls that restrict the types of image files processed by the application can provide additional defense in depth. Organizations should consider disabling the FPX plugin entirely if it is not required for business operations, as this eliminates the attack surface associated with the vulnerable component. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in image processing applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities through memory corruption attacks. Regular security assessments of image processing applications and implementation of sandboxing techniques can further reduce the risk of exploitation and ensure that similar vulnerabilities are identified and addressed proactively.