CVE-2024-6819 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE • 11/23/2024
IrfanView PSP 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 PSP 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-23219.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2025
The CVE-2024-6819 vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw in IrfanView's handling of PSP (Portable Sample Format) files, constituting a remote code execution vulnerability that poses significant security risks to affected systems. This vulnerability resides within the image file parsing functionality of IrfanView, a widely used graphics viewer and editor that processes various image formats including PSP files. The flaw specifically manifests during the parsing of maliciously crafted PSP files, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to manipulate memory boundaries and potentially execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution issue means that attackers can exploit it without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently encounter malicious content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during PSP file processing, which directly maps to CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write, a well-documented weakness in software security. When IrfanView attempts to parse a malicious PSP file, the application fails to validate the size and structure of user-supplied data, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption typically occurs when the application allocates a buffer of specific size but receives data that exceeds these boundaries, resulting in a buffer overflow condition that can be leveraged by attackers to redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious webpage that triggers automatic download and processing of the malicious file or by directly opening the crafted PSP file, making it a typical attack vector for social engineering campaigns.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-6819 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can potentially allow attackers to establish persistent access to compromised systems and escalate privileges. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability enables attackers to execute malicious code within the context of the IrfanView process, which typically runs with the privileges of the user who initiated the application. This can lead to complete system compromise, especially if the user has administrative privileges, allowing attackers to install backdoors, exfiltrate data, or deploy additional malware. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can target users from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly concerning for organizations that do not maintain strict network segmentation or have users who frequently access untrusted websites. Additionally, the widespread use of IrfanView across various industries including healthcare, finance, and government sectors amplifies the potential impact of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-6819 should focus on immediate patch application from IrfanView developers, as the most effective solution to address this vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious files, particularly those with extensions commonly associated with image processing such as .psp, .pdd, and related formats. Network-based mitigations include implementing web proxies with content filtering capabilities that can detect and block malicious file downloads, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious file processing activities. From a defensive standpoint, the vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution, which emphasizes the importance of maintaining up-to-date software and implementing application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution. Security teams should also consider implementing user education programs to raise awareness about the risks of opening unknown file types and visiting untrusted websites. The vulnerability's presence in IrfanView's image parsing functionality also highlights the need for regular security assessments of commonly used applications, particularly those that process untrusted input from external sources, as this represents a common attack surface that requires continuous monitoring and remediation efforts to maintain system security.