CVE-2019-13085 in XnView Classic
Summary
by MITRE
XnView Classic 2.48 has a User Mode Write AV starting at xnview+0x000000000030ecfa.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/09/2023
CVE-2019-13085 represents a critical use-after-free vulnerability in XnView Classic version 2.48 that manifests as a user mode write access violation within the application's memory management subsystem. This vulnerability occurs at the specific memory address xnview+0x000000000030ecfa, indicating a precise location where the application's code fails to properly manage memory references, leading to potential arbitrary code execution. The flaw stems from improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation processes, particularly when processing certain image file formats that trigger the vulnerable code path. When an attacker can manipulate the application into following this specific execution flow, the application attempts to write to memory that has already been freed, creating a condition where malicious data can overwrite critical program structures or executable code. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category of Use After Free, which is classified as a severe memory safety issue that can enable privilege escalation and remote code execution in vulnerable applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as exploitation could allow adversaries to execute arbitrary commands through the compromised application. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it can be leveraged to gain unauthorized access to systems running the affected software. When exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow by overwriting memory locations that control program logic or jump tables, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs in a widely used image viewing application, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to exploit user interactions with potentially malicious image files. The memory corruption vulnerability creates a predictable pattern where freed memory blocks can be reallocated and written to, enabling attackers to inject malicious code into the application's address space. This particular write access violation represents a fundamental flaw in the application's memory management that could be exploited through carefully crafted input files, making it a high-severity issue requiring immediate attention from system administrators and security professionals. The vulnerability's exploitation potential increases significantly when considering that XnView Classic is commonly used for opening images from untrusted sources, such as email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms, providing multiple attack vectors for threat actors. The specific memory address indicates that the flaw exists within the application's core processing functions, making it difficult to patch without significant code restructuring and thorough memory management review. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory handling in applications that process untrusted data, as even minor flaws in memory management can lead to complete system compromise. The lack of proper input validation and memory state tracking in the affected application creates a dangerous environment where attackers can manipulate program execution through carefully crafted payloads. Security researchers have identified that similar vulnerabilities in image processing applications have historically been exploited for privilege escalation attacks, making CVE-2019-13085 particularly dangerous in environments where the application runs with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction, as simply opening a maliciously crafted image file can trigger the memory corruption, making it a significant risk for both individual users and enterprise environments. The memory safety issue represents a failure in the application's defensive programming practices, where proper memory lifecycle management should have prevented the write access violation from occurring in the first place. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of regular security audits and code reviews, particularly for applications that handle file processing and user input, as these systems are often targeted by attackers seeking to exploit memory corruption flaws. The specific nature of the write access violation suggests that the application's memory management code lacks proper bounds checking and state validation mechanisms that would normally prevent such dangerous operations from occurring.