CVE-2013-3486
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2013-3486 is an integer overflow vulnerability in IrfanView's FlashPix plugin version 4.3.4.0 that allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a specially crafted FlashPix (.FPX) image file. Users who open malicious FPX files with vulnerable IrfanView installations are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- IrfanView FlashPix Plugin
📦 What is this software?
Flashpix Plugin by Irfanview
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution with SYSTEM/administrator privileges leading to complete system compromise, data theft, and lateral movement.
Likely Case
Remote code execution with user privileges leading to malware installation, data exfiltration, and persistence establishment.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if application runs with minimal privileges, sandboxed, or network access is restricted.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user to open malicious FPX file. Public exploit code exists in security databases.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: IrfanView 4.36 or later
Vendor Advisory: http://www.irfanview.com/main_history.htm
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Download latest IrfanView from official website. 2. Run installer. 3. Select 'Update' option if upgrading. 4. Complete installation wizard.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable FlashPix plugin
windowsRemove or rename the FlashPix plugin file to prevent IrfanView from loading it.
rename "C:\Program Files\IrfanView\Plugins\FORMATS\FlashPix.dll" "FlashPix.dll.disabled"
Block FPX file association
windowsRemove FPX file type association with IrfanView in Windows registry.
reg delete "HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\FileExts\.fpx" /f
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Run IrfanView with restricted user privileges (not administrator)
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized code
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check IrfanView Help > About dialog for version number. If version is 4.35 or earlier with FlashPix plugin 4.3.4.0, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
"C:\Program Files\IrfanView\i_view32.exe" /?Verify Fix Applied:
Verify IrfanView version is 4.36 or later. Check that FlashPix.dll plugin file version has been updated.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- IrfanView crash logs with access violation in FlashPix.dll
- Windows Application Error events with faulting module FlashPix.dll
Network Indicators:
- Downloads of FPX files from untrusted sources
- Unusual outbound connections after FPX file opening
SIEM Query:
source="windows" AND event_id=1000 AND process_name="i_view32.exe" AND faulting_module="FlashPix.dll"