CVE-2017-15259 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

CVE-2017-15259 was published on October 11, 2017, and affects IrfanView version 4.44 (32bit) with PDF plugin version 4.43. This vulnerability can lead to denial of service attacks and potentially other impacts when exposed to a maliciously crafted .pdf file.

Understanding CVE-2017-15259

This CVE highlights a flaw in IrfanView that can be exploited through a specific version with a PDF plugin, potentially causing significant disruptions.

What is CVE-2017-15259?

The vulnerability in IrfanView version 4.44 (32bit) with PDF plugin version 4.43 allows attackers to trigger denial of service attacks or other unspecified impacts by using a maliciously crafted .pdf file.

The Impact of CVE-2017-15259

The vulnerability can result in denial of service attacks and potentially other adverse effects on systems running the affected IrfanView version with the specified PDF plugin.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-15259

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in IrfanView version 4.44 (32bit) with PDF plugin version 4.43 is attributed to a specific issue related to "Data from Faulting Address controls Branch Selection starting at PDF!xmlParserInputRead+0x000000000011624a."

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: IrfanView
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: 4.44 (32bit) with PDF plugin version 4.43

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by utilizing a maliciously crafted .pdf file to trigger the flaw in the affected IrfanView version and PDF plugin.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2017-15259, users and organizations should take immediate and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Avoid opening untrusted .pdf files with IrfanView version 4.44 (32bit) and PDF plugin version 4.43.
Consider using alternative PDF viewers until a patch is available.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update IrfanView and associated plugins to the latest versions.
Implement robust cybersecurity measures to prevent and detect potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and patches released by IrfanView to address the vulnerability.