CVE-2025-7261 in CADImage Plugin
Summary
by MITRE • 07/21/2025
IrfanView CADImage Plugin DWG File Parsing Out-Of-Bounds Read 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 read 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-26130.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-7261 affects the IrfanView CADImage Plugin and represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition that can lead to remote code execution. This flaw specifically manifests during the parsing of DWG files, which are commonly used in computer-aided design applications and are frequently encountered in professional environments. The vulnerability has been assigned the ZDI-CAN-26130 identifier and demonstrates a classic buffer over-read scenario that has significant implications for system security. The issue resides within the plugin's handling of user-supplied data without adequate validation mechanisms, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the parsing process and potentially gain unauthorized access to system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the DWG file parser component of the CADImage Plugin. When processing maliciously crafted DWG files, the plugin fails to properly bounds-check array accesses or buffer allocations, leading to memory access violations that can be exploited to read data beyond allocated memory boundaries. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the memory layout of the application process, potentially enabling them to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, meaning that targets must either open a malicious file or visit a compromised webpage that triggers the vulnerable code path.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-7261 extends beyond simple privilege escalation, as it can be leveraged for comprehensive system compromise. Attackers can craft DWG files that, when processed by the vulnerable plugin, trigger memory corruption conditions that allow for code injection attacks. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where IrfanView is commonly used for document review and image processing tasks. The remote code execution capability means that attackers can potentially deploy malware, establish persistence mechanisms, or conduct further reconnaissance activities without requiring local access to the target system. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would place it within the execution and privilege escalation domains, specifically targeting the use of malicious file formats as attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the CADImage Plugin component, as well as implementing defensive measures such as restricting file type associations and employing application whitelisting policies. Organizations should also consider network-based protections including web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious DWG file content patterns. The vulnerability's exploitation requires user interaction, which provides an opportunity for security awareness training to reduce successful attack vectors. Additionally, implementing sandboxing mechanisms for image processing applications and regular security assessments of third-party plugins can help prevent similar issues from occurring in other software components. System administrators should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and maintain updated threat intelligence regarding similar vulnerabilities in the CAD and image processing software ecosystems.