CVE-2017-9914 in XnView Classic
Summary
by MITRE
XnView Classic for Windows Version 2.40 allows remote attackers to execute code via a crafted .bie file, related to a "Read Access Violation on Block Data Move starting at Xjbig+0x000000000000121b."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2019
CVE-2017-9914 represents a critical remote code execution vulnerability affecting XnView Classic for Windows version 2.40 and potentially earlier versions. This vulnerability arises from improper handling of specially crafted .bie image files during the image processing pipeline. The flaw manifests as a read access violation occurring at the Xjbig+0x000000000000121b memory location, indicating a serious memory management issue within the image decoding component. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read, which can lead to arbitrary code execution when an attacker successfully manipulates the memory access patterns during image decompression.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the XnView application attempts to process a maliciously crafted .bie file that contains malformed data structures within the JPEG2000 compression format. The Xjbig component represents the JPEG2000 decoder library used by XnView for processing certain image formats, and the specific memory access violation suggests that the decoder fails to properly validate input data before performing memory operations. When the application attempts to move block data from an invalid memory location, it creates a condition where an attacker can control the execution flow of the process. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code remotely.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9914 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it can enable attackers to gain full system control without requiring user interaction or authentication. The vulnerability affects any system running XnView Classic 2.40 or earlier versions when processing untrusted image files, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter malicious attachments or browse compromised websites. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms where .bie files might be encountered. The memory access violation creates a predictable crash condition that can be leveraged to inject and execute malicious code within the application context, potentially leading to privilege escalation and persistent access to the compromised system.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to the latest version of XnView Classic where this vulnerability has been patched, implementing network-based restrictions on file type handling, and deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of vulnerable versions. System administrators should also consider disabling automatic image preview features in file browsers and email clients that might trigger processing of untrusted image files. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory validation and bounds checking in image processing libraries, aligning with industry best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST guidelines for secure coding practices. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous memory access patterns and potential exploitation attempts targeting similar image processing vulnerabilities.