CVE-2025-7246 in CADImage Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/21/2025
IrfanView CADImage Plugin DWG File Parsing Memory Corruption Remote Code Execution Vulnerability. This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected installations of IrfanView CADImage Plugin. 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 DWG files. The issue results from the lack of proper validation of user-supplied data, which can result in a memory corruption condition. An attacker can leverage this vulnerability to execute code in the context of the current process. Was ZDI-CAN-26095.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2025
The CVE-2025-7246 vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the IrfanView CADImage Plugin that specifically targets DWG file parsing functionality. This vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and is particularly dangerous due to its remote code execution capabilities. The flaw exists in the plugin's handling of user-supplied DWG files, where inadequate input validation leads to improper memory management during file processing. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer overflow or memory corruption issue that can be exploited through crafted malicious DWG files, making it a significant threat to systems running affected versions of IrfanView with the CADImage plugin installed.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious DWG file that triggers the memory corruption condition when processed by the CADImage plugin. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the memory level where arbitrary code execution becomes possible. The flaw stems from insufficient bounds checking and validation of file structures during the parsing process, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially overwrite critical program data or execution pointers. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and may also align with CWE-125, indicating out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption. The attack vector requires user interaction through either visiting a malicious webpage that loads the problematic file or opening a malicious file directly, making it a user-initiated remote code execution vulnerability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as successful exploitation can provide attackers with complete control over the affected system's processes. The vulnerability exists in the context of a widely used image viewing application, making it particularly dangerous for enterprise environments where IrfanView is commonly deployed. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to establish persistent access, escalate privileges, or deploy additional malware payloads. The memory corruption condition can potentially be chained with other vulnerabilities to create more sophisticated attack scenarios, and the fact that this vulnerability is remote in nature means that attackers do not need physical access to the target system. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for execution through remote access methods, and represents a significant threat to both individual users and enterprise security postures.
Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including disabling the CADImage plugin if it is not required for operations, updating to patched versions of IrfanView when available, and implementing network-based protections such as web application firewalls that can detect and block malicious DWG file content. Security teams should also monitor for suspicious file downloads and implement strict file validation policies for incoming content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in plugin architectures, particularly for applications that process complex file formats from untrusted sources. Additionally, network segmentation and user education about avoiding untrusted file downloads can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of third-party plugins and components should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities that could compromise system integrity and user security.