CVE-2025-7301 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-26380.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/25/2025
The CVE-2025-7301 vulnerability represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the IrfanView CADImage Plugin that processes DWG files, creating a remote code execution vector that poses significant operational risks to affected systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the DWG file parsing functionality of the CADImage plugin, which is an extension module for the popular IrfanView image viewer application. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data during the parsing process, allowing maliciously crafted DWG files to trigger unexpected memory behavior. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires only user interaction to exploit, meaning that simply visiting a malicious webpage or opening a compromised DWG file can lead to arbitrary code execution on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically relates to CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write operations. When the CADImage plugin processes a malformed DWG file, the parsing logic fails to validate the structure and content of the file, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by attackers to overwrite critical memory locations. The vulnerability operates at the memory management level where the plugin's parsing functions do not properly bounds-check array accesses or validate the size of data structures before processing them. This creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and redirect execution flow, potentially allowing them to inject and execute malicious code within the IrfanView process context. The attack surface is further expanded by the fact that the plugin is commonly used to handle CAD drawings, making it a frequent target for attackers who may distribute malicious files through various social engineering vectors.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability enables attackers to achieve complete system compromise when exploited successfully, as the code execution occurs within the privileges of the IrfanView process. The remote code execution capability means that attackers can potentially install backdoors, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent access to affected systems without requiring local system access. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond opening the malicious file or visiting the malicious webpage, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or drive-by download scenarios. Organizations that rely heavily on CAD drawings or use IrfanView for document handling are at heightened risk, especially in environments where users may encounter untrusted DWG files from external sources. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute commands through the compromised IrfanView process.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates the broader security implications of plugin-based architectures and third-party components in multimedia applications. The issue highlights the importance of input validation and proper memory management practices in software development, particularly for components that process untrusted data formats. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling the CADImage plugin until a patched version is available, implementing network-based restrictions to prevent access to known malicious domains, and monitoring for suspicious file access patterns. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the necessity of keeping all software components updated and following secure coding practices that align with industry standards such as those outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. The ZDI-CAN-26380 reference indicates this vulnerability has been formally recognized by the Zero Day Initiative, emphasizing its potential impact and the need for urgent remediation efforts across affected deployments.