CVE-2024-6820 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE • 11/23/2024
IrfanView AWD 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 AWD 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-23232.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2025
The CVE-2024-6820 vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw in IrfanView's handling of AWD (Advanced Web Design) files, constituting a remote code execution vulnerability that poses significant security risks to affected systems. This vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds writes in software applications. The flaw manifests when IrfanView processes AWD files without adequate input validation, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate memory structures and potentially execute arbitrary code within the application's context.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the parsing phase of AWD file formats where IrfanView fails to properly validate the size and structure of user-supplied data before attempting memory operations. When an attacker crafts a malicious AWD file with oversized or malformed data structures, the application's buffer handling mechanisms become compromised, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain code execution capabilities. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can deliver malicious payloads through web pages or file attachments without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with the ability to operate within the security context of the IrfanView process, potentially enabling further escalation attacks. Since IrfanView is commonly used for image viewing and processing, attackers can leverage this vulnerability through various attack vectors including phishing emails, malicious websites, or compromised web applications that serve AWD files. The requirement for user interaction to exploit this vulnerability does not mitigate the risk significantly, as social engineering techniques can easily convince users to open malicious files or visit compromised web pages. This vulnerability affects not only individual users but also enterprise environments where IrfanView is deployed across multiple systems, potentially enabling attackers to establish persistent access or move laterally within networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-6820 should focus on immediate patch application from IrfanView vendors, alongside network-level protections such as content filtering and file type restrictions. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent execution of untrusted AWD files, particularly in environments where IrfanView is used for document processing. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw necessitates network segmentation and monitoring to detect suspicious file access patterns, while also considering the implementation of application whitelisting solutions to restrict IrfanView execution to trusted environments only. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening untrusted files, particularly those that might be disguised as legitimate image formats to avoid user suspicion during exploitation attempts.