CVE-2017-9888 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 controls Branch Selection starting at FPX!FPX_GetScanDevicePropertyGroup+0x00000000000031a0."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9888 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in IrfanView version 4.44 when processing specially crafted .fpx files through the FPX Plugin version 4.46. This issue occurs during the execution of the FPX_GetScanDevicePropertyGroup function at offset 0x31a0 within the FPX plugin module, where attacker-controlled data from a faulting address directly influences branch selection logic. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the image parsing routine, creating a condition where arbitrary data can overwrite critical program execution paths.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages a classic buffer overflow scenario where malformed data in the .fpx file structure causes the application to execute unintended code paths. The faulting address containing attacker-controlled data manipulates the conditional branch selection mechanism, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and CWE-125, out-of-bounds read, while also exhibiting characteristics of CWE-787, out-of-bounds write. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear path to privilege escalation when exploited in the context of a desktop application, as the application's memory corruption directly impacts program flow control.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risk to end users who may unknowingly open maliciously crafted .fpx files through IrfanView, particularly in environments where file type associations are configured to automatically open such images. The denial of service impact can manifest as application crashes or system instability, while the potential for unspecified other impacts suggests possibilities for remote code execution or privilege escalation. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through social engineering campaigns targeting users who frequently handle image files or through automated exploitation in compromised environments. The vulnerability affects the specific combination of IrfanView 4.44 with FPX Plugin 4.46, making it particularly relevant for organizations using legacy image viewing software that has not received security updates.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9888 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected IrfanView version with updated FPX Plugin components from the vendor. Organizations should implement restrictive file handling policies that prevent automatic execution of image files from untrusted sources, particularly in environments where users may encounter malicious files through email attachments or web downloads. Network-based mitigations can include content filtering solutions that scan for suspicious image file patterns or block .fpx file types entirely if they are not required for legitimate business operations. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of keeping desktop applications updated, as this issue represents a known flaw that was addressed in subsequent releases. Security monitoring should focus on detecting abnormal application behavior or crash patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of vulnerable software versions and ensure that only trusted, patched versions of IrfanView are deployed in enterprise environments. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for regular security maintenance and the potential risks associated with legacy software in modern computing environments.