CVE-2017-9892 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 ntdll_77df0000!RtlpFreeHeap+0x0000000000000393."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9892 affects IrfanView version 4.44 when used with the FPX Plugin version 4.46, presenting a significant security risk that can lead to denial of service conditions or potentially more severe unspecified impacts. This issue stems from improper handling of malformed data within the .fpx file format, which is a proprietary image format commonly used in digital imaging applications. The vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes a crafted .fpx file that contains maliciously constructed data structures that trigger unexpected behavior in the underlying memory management system.
The technical flaw occurs within the ntdll.dll component of the Windows operating system, specifically at the RtlpFreeHeap function where a faulting address controls branch selection. This represents a classic heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability that allows attackers to manipulate the execution flow of the application by corrupting memory structures during heap deallocation. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, though the actual manifestation occurs in heap memory management. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires no special privileges or user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it an attractive target for automated exploitation campaigns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as the potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that attackers could potentially execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges within the victim's system. When IrfanView processes the malformed .fpx file, the corrupted memory references cause the application to crash or behave unpredictably, but the underlying heap corruption could theoretically be exploited to redirect program execution flow. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code. The vulnerability affects systems running Windows operating systems where IrfanView is installed with the vulnerable FPX plugin, creating a widespread attack surface across various enterprise and consumer environments.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of IrfanView to version 4.45 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the FPX plugin memory handling routines. System administrators should also implement file type restrictions and content validation for .fpx files in enterprise environments, particularly in scenarios where users may encounter untrusted image files. Network-level protections such as deep packet inspection and file reputation systems can help prevent the delivery of malicious .fpx files through email attachments or web downloads. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted image files and the importance of keeping software updated. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in image processing applications, particularly those that handle proprietary file formats that may not undergo the same level of security scrutiny as standard image formats like jpeg or png. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of known vulnerable applications until proper patches are deployed.