CVE-2017-9918 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE
IrfanView version 4.44 (32bit) with TOOLS Plugin 4.50 might allow attackers to cause a denial of service or execute arbitrary code via a crafted file, related to "Data from Faulting Address controls Branch Selection starting at KERNELBASE!QueryOptionalDelayLoadedAPI+0x0000000000000c42."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9918 affects IrfanView version 4.44 32bit when utilizing the TOOLS Plugin version 4.50, representing a critical security flaw that could enable remote code execution or denial of service attacks. This issue stems from improper handling of malformed input data within the plugin's processing pipeline, specifically manifesting at the KERNELBASE!QueryOptionalDelayLoadedAPI function where faulting address data influences branch selection mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with heap-based buffer overflow conditions and memory corruption exploits that have been documented in similar image processing software vulnerabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when IrfanView processes a specially crafted file that triggers an unexpected execution path within the TOOLS plugin module. The faulting address data directly controls the conditional branch selection at KERNELBASE!QueryOptionalDelayLoadedAPI, which represents a critical kernel-level function responsible for managing dynamic link library loading. This particular address manipulation can cause the application to jump to unintended memory locations, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user. The vulnerability's exploitation pathway aligns with common software exploitation techniques described in the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category and represents a classic example of a control flow hijacking attack pattern.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9918 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise potential. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute malicious code within the context of the IrfanView process, potentially leading to privilege escalation and persistent system access. This represents a significant threat vector for both enterprise and individual users who might unknowingly open maliciously crafted image files, particularly in environments where IrfanView is used for document processing or image viewing tasks. The vulnerability's presence in a widely used image viewer application creates substantial risk exposure across multiple attack surfaces including email attachments, web downloads, and file sharing scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9918 should prioritize immediate patching of the affected IrfanView version and TOOLS Plugin combination to address the underlying memory handling flaws. System administrators should implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of vulnerable versions and consider deploying exploit prevention mechanisms such as address space layout randomization and data execution prevention features. Additionally, user education regarding safe file handling practices and the avoidance of untrusted image files remains critical. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059 command and scripting interpreter technique, as successful exploitation would likely involve execution of malicious payloads through compromised application processes. Furthermore, the vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-787 out-of-bounds write conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution in software applications.