CVE-2017-9889 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 a "Read Access Violation starting at FPX!FPX_GetScanDevicePropertyGroup+0x0000000000003714."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9889 affects IrfanView version 4.44 when used with the FPX Plugin version 4.46, presenting a critical security risk that can lead to denial of service conditions or potentially more severe impacts. This issue manifests through the processing of maliciously crafted .fpx files, which are image format files commonly used for storing multi-frame images and associated metadata. The vulnerability specifically occurs within the FPX plugin's handling of image properties, creating a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the application's memory access patterns to trigger system instability.
The technical flaw resides in the FPX_GetScanDevicePropertyGroup function within the FPX plugin module, where a read access violation occurs at the memory address FPX!FPX_GetScanDevicePropertyGroup+0x0000000000003714. This memory access violation represents a classic buffer overflow condition where the application attempts to read from an invalid memory location or access memory that has not been properly allocated. The vulnerability is classified as a memory corruption issue that can be exploited through improper input validation during file parsing operations, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted image files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as the unspecified other impacts could potentially include arbitrary code execution or system compromise. When an attacker successfully triggers this vulnerability through a crafted .fpx file, the application crashes or becomes unresponsive, effectively preventing legitimate users from accessing the image viewer functionality. In more severe scenarios, this memory corruption could potentially be leveraged to execute malicious code within the context of the running application, especially if the application is running with elevated privileges or if the memory corruption allows for stack or heap manipulation.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. The attack pattern follows the techniques outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1203 category for Obfuscated Files or Information, where attackers might use crafted image files to bypass security controls. The exploitation requires minimal user interaction, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through automated means when users open malicious files. Organizations should consider implementing file validation controls and restricting the execution of untrusted image files through IrfanView, particularly in environments where the application might be exposed to external file inputs. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in multimedia applications, as image processing libraries often handle complex file formats with multiple parsing stages that can introduce security risks when not properly secured against malformed input data.