CVE-2024-31007 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2024
Buffer Overflow vulnerability in IrfanView 32bit v.4.66 allows a local attacker to cause a denial of service via a crafted file. Affected component is IrfanView 32bit 4.66 with plugin formats.dll.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/03/2025
The buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-31007 affects IrfanView version 4.66 for 32-bit systems and represents a critical security flaw that can be exploited by local attackers to execute denial of service attacks. This vulnerability specifically targets the formats.dll plugin component within the IrfanView image viewer application, which is widely used for handling various graphic file formats including jpeg png and bmp. The flaw arises when the application processes maliciously crafted image files that contain oversized data structures or malformed headers that exceed the allocated buffer space. According to CWE-121, this vulnerability falls under the category of stack-based buffer overflow where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through local exploitation where an attacker with limited system access can leverage this vulnerability to disrupt normal application functionality.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs during the parsing phase of image file processing where the formats.dll plugin fails to properly validate input data length before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. When an attacker crafts a specially formatted image file with oversized metadata or corrupted headers, the application's memory management routines become compromised. The vulnerability manifests as a stack corruption condition that can result in application crashes or unpredictable behavior, effectively causing a denial of service condition that prevents legitimate users from accessing the application. The 32-bit architecture of IrfanView 4.66 exacerbates this issue as the memory addressing limitations combined with insufficient input validation create a more predictable exploitation scenario. The buffer overflow specifically impacts the plugin architecture of IrfanView where external modules like formats.dll are loaded to extend functionality, making the attack surface more expansive than typical application-level vulnerabilities.
From an operational perspective this vulnerability presents significant risks for organizations that rely on IrfanView for image processing tasks or as part of automated workflows. Local attackers can exploit this flaw without requiring network connectivity or elevated privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multiple users share the same system resources. The denial of service impact extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially affect productivity in scenarios where image viewing is a core business function. Organizations using IrfanView for document management image archives or digital media processing may experience service interruptions that could cascade into broader operational disruptions. The vulnerability's local attack vector means that even isolated systems could be compromised if an attacker gains access to a user account, making this threat particularly relevant for environments with shared computing resources or untrusted user access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-31007 should prioritize immediate patching of IrfanView installations to the latest available version that addresses this specific buffer overflow vulnerability. System administrators should implement strict file validation procedures for image files processed through IrfanView, including the use of automated scanning tools that can detect malformed image headers before they reach the vulnerable application. Network segmentation and privilege separation should be enforced to limit the potential impact of local exploitation attempts, ensuring that users cannot easily access the application with elevated privileges. The implementation of application whitelisting policies can prevent execution of untrusted image files through IrfanView, while regular security audits should verify that all instances of the vulnerable plugin formats.dll are properly updated. Additionally organizations should consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can monitor for anomalous behavior patterns associated with buffer overflow exploitation attempts, and maintain comprehensive backup procedures to ensure rapid recovery from potential service disruptions caused by this vulnerability.