CVE-2019-9138 in DaviewIndy
Summary
by MITRE
DaviewIndy 8.98.7 and earlier versions have a Integer overflow vulnerability, triggered when the user opens a malformed PhotoShop file that is mishandled by Daview.exe. Attackers could exploit this and arbitrary code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-9138 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within DaviewIndy software version 8.98.7 and earlier releases. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the application processes malformed Photoshop files through the Daview.exe executable component. The integer overflow occurs during the parsing of image metadata or file structure elements within the Photoshop file format, creating a condition where numeric values exceed their allocated storage capacity and wrap around to unexpected values. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it exists in a file processing application that is commonly used for image viewing and manipulation, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to leverage file-based attack vectors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it creates a pathway for arbitrary code execution within the context of the user running the vulnerable software. When a maliciously crafted Photoshop file is opened, the integer overflow in Daview.exe can corrupt memory structures and potentially allow attackers to manipulate program flow through stack corruption or heap-based memory issues. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. The attack surface is broad since Photoshop files are commonly shared and opened across various environments, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access through social engineering or automated exploitation campaigns.
Security professionals should recognize that this vulnerability represents a classic example of a buffer overflow scenario that has been misclassified as integer overflow in the specific context of file format parsing. The flaw likely occurs during memory allocation calculations where the application attempts to allocate memory based on malformed dimensions or count values found in the Photoshop file header. This creates a situation where attackers can craft files with deliberately oversized parameters that, when processed by the vulnerable software, trigger the integer overflow condition. The resulting memory corruption can be exploited to overwrite critical program structures or function pointers, enabling attackers to redirect execution flow and inject malicious payloads. Organizations using DaviewIndy should implement immediate mitigations including software updates to versions that address this vulnerability, network segmentation to limit exposure, and user education to avoid opening untrusted image files. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for unusual file processing activity can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability.