CVE-2025-7262 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-26132.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/26/2025
The CVE-2025-7262 vulnerability represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the IrfanView CADImage Plugin that processes DWG files, creating a remote code execution vector that poses significant security risks to affected systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the plugin's handling of Computer-Aided Design file formats, which are commonly used in engineering and architectural applications. The flaw exists in the buffer validation mechanisms during DWG file parsing operations, where insufficient input sanitization allows malicious data to trigger memory access violations that can be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the CADImage plugin's DWG file parser, which fails to validate the size and structure of incoming data before processing. When IrfanView encounters a malicious DWG file, the plugin attempts to read data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, creating conditions where an attacker can manipulate memory access patterns to execute arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to privilege escalation and code execution. The vulnerability operates at the memory management level where the plugin's parsing logic does not properly verify buffer limits before reading file content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it allows attackers to gain full control over affected systems running vulnerable versions of IrfanView with the CADImage plugin. Since user interaction is required for exploitation through either visiting malicious web pages or opening crafted files, attackers can leverage social engineering techniques to deliver payloads through phishing campaigns or compromised websites. The attack surface includes any system where IrfanView is installed with the CADImage plugin enabled, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where these applications are commonly deployed. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) highlights its potential for lateral movement and persistent access within compromised networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected IrfanView installations, particularly focusing on updating the CADImage plugin to versions that address the buffer validation issues. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to potentially vulnerable systems and consider disabling the CADImage plugin for users who do not require CAD file processing capabilities. Additional protective measures include deploying application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized plugins, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious file downloads, and conducting regular security assessments to identify other potentially vulnerable applications. Security teams should also establish monitoring protocols to detect suspicious file access patterns and ensure that all user endpoints are regularly updated with the latest security patches. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and buffer management in preventing remote code execution attacks that can compromise entire system infrastructures.