CVE-2024-11517 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE • 11/23/2024
IrfanView JPM File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Write Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of IrfanView. User interaction is required to exploit this vulnerability in that the target must visit a malicious page or open a malicious file.
The specific flaw exists within the parsing of JPM files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a write past the end of an allocated buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-24118.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-XXXX, previously tracked under Zero Day Initiative identifier ZDI-CAN-24118, represents a critical security flaw within IrfanView, a widely used image viewer and editor for Microsoft Windows operating systems. This specific issue stems from an out-of-bounds write condition located in the module responsible for parsing JPEG 2000 (JPM) files. The root cause of this vulnerability is insufficient validation of user-supplied data during the processing of JPM file structures. When IrfanView attempts to open or render a maliciously crafted JPM file, it fails to adequately verify the boundaries of memory buffers allocated for storing image metadata and pixel data. This lack of rigorous bounds checking allows an attacker to manipulate specific fields within the file header or stream structure to trigger a write operation that exceeds the limits of the pre-allocated buffer space in memory.
From a technical perspective, this out-of-bounds write constitutes a classic heap-based buffer overflow scenario. By carefully crafting the input data, an adversary can control the amount of data written beyond the intended boundary, thereby overwriting adjacent memory structures. In modern operating systems with common exploitation mitigations such as Data Execution Prevention (DEP) and Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), simply overflowing a buffer is often insufficient for successful code execution. However, out-of-bounds writes can be leveraged to corrupt heap metadata or overwrite function pointers within the same memory region. This corruption enables an attacker to redirect program flow to arbitrary shellcode injected into the process address space, ultimately achieving remote code execution with the privileges of the currently logged-in user. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write in the Common Weakness Enumeration database, highlighting the fundamental failure in memory safety checks during data parsing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe due to its potential for arbitrary code execution. If successfully exploited, an attacker could install programs, view, change, or delete data on the target system, or create new accounts with full user rights. The severity is further compounded by the fact that IrfanView is a popular tool often used in professional and casual settings alike, increasing the potential attack surface. While the vulnerability requires user interaction to exploit—specifically requiring the victim to open a malicious JPM file or visit a webpage containing an embedded malicious image—the ease with which such files can be distributed via email attachments, instant messaging, or compromised websites makes it a significant threat vector for social engineering attacks. This aligns with MITRE ATT&CK technique T1204: User Execution, where the adversary relies on the victim to perform actions that lead to code execution, and potentially T1059: Command and Scripting Interpreter if subsequent steps involve launching additional payloads after initial compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on patch management and user education. The most effective defense is to update IrfanView to the latest version released by the developer, which includes fixes for these parsing inconsistencies and improved input validation routines. Organizations should enforce strict software update policies to ensure that all endpoints are running patched versions of image viewing applications. Additionally, security awareness training should be implemented to educate users about the risks associated with opening files from untrusted sources, particularly those containing complex media formats like JPEG 2000 or JPM which may contain embedded scripts or exploit code. Network-level controls such as Data Loss Prevention (DLP) solutions and email gateways configured to inspect and block suspicious file attachments can also reduce the likelihood of successful exploitation by preventing malicious payloads from reaching end-user systems in the first place.