CVE-2019-19468 in Free Photo Viewer
Summary
by MITRE
Free Photo Viewer 1.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted BMP and/or TIFF file that triggers a malformed SEH, as demonstrated by a 0012ECB4 FreePhot.00425642 42200008 corrupt entry.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/05/2024
Free Photo Viewer version 1.3 contains a critical buffer overflow vulnerability that arises from improper handling of malformed image files during the parsing of Structured Exception Handler (SEH) records. This vulnerability specifically affects the processing of BMP and TIFF image formats where an attacker can craft malicious files that contain corrupted SEH structures. The vulnerability manifests when the application attempts to parse an image file with a malformed SEH frame at address 0012ECB4 within the FreePhot.00425642 42200008 corrupt entry, which leads to a stack-based buffer overflow condition. The flaw occurs because the application fails to validate the integrity of SEH records before attempting to execute them, creating an opportunity for arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability represents a classic stack-based buffer overflow that can be exploited through a remote attack vector, as demonstrated by the specific memory corruption pattern referenced in the exploit.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's lack of proper input validation and exception handling mechanisms. When Free Photo Viewer processes a crafted image file, it reads the SEH information from the image headers without adequate bounds checking or validation of the structure integrity. The SEH frame contains pointers that, when malformed, can overwrite the stack frame of the executing process. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow which is a well-known weakness in software security. The specific attack pattern involves creating a malicious image file with a crafted SEH structure that, when processed by the vulnerable application, causes the program to jump to attacker-controlled code execution. The vulnerability exists in the image parsing routine where the application does not properly sanitize the SEH frame data before attempting to use it in the exception handling mechanism.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe as it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. An attacker can craft a malicious BMP or TIFF file and deliver it through various means such as email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. Once the victim opens the malicious file with Free Photo Viewer, the buffer overflow occurs and the attacker's payload can be executed. This creates a significant risk for end users who may inadvertently open compromised image files, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects systems running Free Photo Viewer version 1.3 and could be exploited in various environments including corporate networks, personal computers, and mobile devices. The remote execution capability makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it does not require physical access to the target system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate software updates from the vendor to address the buffer overflow issue in the SEH handling mechanism. Users should disable automatic image preview functionality in email clients and file managers to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious files. Network-level protections such as content filtering and sandboxing of image files can provide additional defense in depth. Security professionals should monitor for exploitation attempts and implement proper access controls to limit the impact of potential compromises. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices, particularly in applications that process untrusted data such as image files. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting and regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches to prevent successful exploitation of such vulnerabilities.