CVE-2017-15239 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability has been identified in IrfanView 4.44 - 32bit with PDF plugin version 4.43 that could potentially be exploited by attackers. By leveraging a specifically crafted .pdf file, the attacker may be able to initiate a denial of service or potentially exploit other unspecified vulnerabilities. This vulnerability is related to the possibility of using data from the faulting address as a return value starting at PDF!xmlParserInputRead+0x0000000000040db4.

Understanding CVE-2017-15239

This CVE entry pertains to a security vulnerability in IrfanView 4.44 - 32bit with PDF plugin version 4.43.

What is CVE-2017-15239?

The vulnerability allows attackers to cause a denial of service or potentially exploit other unspecified vulnerabilities by using a crafted .pdf file.

The Impact of CVE-2017-15239

The exploitation of this vulnerability could lead to a denial of service attack or potentially allow attackers to exploit other vulnerabilities within the affected software.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-15239

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in IrfanView 4.44 - 32bit with PDF plugin version 4.43 allows attackers to exploit the software using a specially crafted .pdf file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Product: IrfanView 4.44 - 32bit with PDF plugin version 4.43
Vendor: Not applicable
Affected Version: Not applicable

Exploitation Mechanism

The attacker can exploit the vulnerability by using a specifically crafted .pdf file to trigger the issue.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-15239, consider the following mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Avoid opening or interacting with untrusted .pdf files.
Implement file type restrictions in email and web filters.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and plugins to the latest versions.
Conduct security training for users on identifying and handling suspicious files.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that IrfanView and its PDF plugin are updated to the latest versions to mitigate the vulnerability.