CVE-2020-23558 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE • 09/16/2022
IrfanView 4.54 allows a user-mode write access violation starting at FORMATS!ShowPlugInSaveOptions_W+0x0000000000007f4b.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/18/2022
CVE-2020-23558 represents a user-mode write access violation vulnerability found in IrfanView version 4.54 within the FORMATS!ShowPlugInSaveOptions_W function. This vulnerability manifests at the address offset 0x0000000000007f4b, indicating a memory corruption issue that occurs during the execution of plugin save options functionality. The flaw exists in the image processing and plugin handling components of the software, specifically when dealing with save operations that involve external plugin modules.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the realm of memory safety issues, where improper handling of memory access during plugin operations creates opportunities for arbitrary code execution or system instability. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-787: "Out-of-bounds Write" and potentially CWE-121: "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" depending on the specific memory layout. The vulnerability occurs when the application attempts to write data to memory locations that are not properly allocated or validated, creating a potential attack surface for malicious actors who could exploit this behavior to gain unauthorized access or cause system crashes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running IrfanView. This presents significant risks in environments where users may be tricked into opening maliciously crafted image files that trigger the vulnerable plugin save functionality. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability through social engineering tactics, such as enticing users to open specially crafted files that contain malicious payloads designed to exploit the memory corruption during the save operation process.
From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007: "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" and T1203: "Exploitation for Client Execution" as it represents an entry point for executing malicious code through application-specific vulnerabilities. The attack vector typically involves delivering a malicious image file that when processed through IrfanView's plugin system triggers the vulnerable code path. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader attack surface analysis, particularly in environments where image processing software is frequently used.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2020-23558 should focus on immediate patching of IrfanView to version 4.55 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this memory corruption issue. Additionally, organizations should implement application whitelisting policies to restrict the execution of untrusted image files and consider using sandboxing techniques to isolate image processing operations. Network-based mitigations could include implementing file type filtering and content inspection to prevent malicious files from reaching users, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious memory access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments should include verification of plugin integrity and proper memory handling practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.