CVE-2024-9261 in IrfanView
Summary
by MITRE • 11/23/2024
IrfanView SID File Parsing Stack-based Buffer Overflow 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 SID files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of the length of user-supplied data prior to copying it to a stack-based buffer. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-23283.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2026
The IrfanView SID file parsing vulnerability represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow condition that enables remote code execution through improper input validation during file processing. This weakness specifically affects the software's handling of SID (Scalable Image Descriptor) files, which are used for image format specification and metadata storage within the application ecosystem. The vulnerability was identified as ZDI-CAN-23283 and demonstrates a fundamental failure in memory management practices that directly impacts system security. When IrfanView processes a specially crafted SID file, the application fails to validate the length of user-supplied data before performing buffer copy operations, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a classic stack buffer overflow pattern where insufficient bounds checking occurs during SID file parsing operations. The flaw exists within the memory management subsystem that handles image file metadata processing, specifically when the application attempts to copy user-supplied data into a fixed-size stack buffer without adequate length validation. This condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations including return addresses and function pointers, effectively corrupting the program execution flow. According to CWE standards, this represents a CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability where the unsafe copying of data from an untrusted source directly into a fixed-length buffer results in memory corruption that can be exploited for arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution capabilities to encompass complete system compromise when attackers leverage additional attack vectors. An attacker requires user interaction to successfully exploit this vulnerability through either visiting a malicious webpage that triggers automatic file processing or by enticing a user to open a crafted SID file. This user interaction requirement aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries use social engineering to gain initial access. The vulnerability affects the current process execution context, meaning successful exploitation can result in code execution with the privileges of the IrfanView application user, potentially leading to privilege escalation scenarios when the application runs with elevated permissions. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that IrfanView is widely used image viewing software that may be automatically invoked by various file associations and web browsers during image rendering operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass multiple defensive layers including immediate patch deployment from the vendor, network-based restrictions on SID file processing, and user education regarding potential risks. Organizations should implement application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted SID files and consider network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable systems. The most effective immediate solution remains applying official security patches provided by IrfanView developers, as these address the root cause through proper input validation mechanisms that prevent buffer overflow conditions. Additional defensive measures include implementing memory protection features such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention to make exploitation more difficult even if the underlying vulnerability persists. System administrators should also monitor for suspicious file processing activities and implement automated scanning tools to detect potentially malicious SID files in user environments.