CVE-2019-17249
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2019-17249 is a memory corruption vulnerability in IrfanView's WSQ file parser that allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code. When a user opens a specially crafted WSQ image file, it triggers a write access violation that can lead to remote code execution. This affects all users of IrfanView 4.53 who open untrusted WSQ files.
💻 Affected Systems
- IrfanView
📦 What is this software?
Irfanview by Irfanview
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution with the privileges of the logged-in user, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, or ransomware deployment.
Likely Case
Application crash (denial of service) or limited code execution within IrfanView's process context.
If Mitigated
Application crash without code execution if exploit fails or memory protections are enabled.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploitation requires user interaction to open a malicious file. The vulnerability is in the WSQ parsing code, making reliable exploitation possible but not trivial.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 4.54 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.irfanview.com/main_history.htm
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Download IrfanView 4.54 or later from official website. 2. Run installer. 3. Choose 'Update' option if upgrading from previous version. 4. Complete installation wizard.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable WSQ plugin
windowsRemove or disable the WSQ plugin to prevent parsing of WSQ files
Move or delete WSQ.DLL from IrfanView plugins folder
File association removal
windowsRemove WSQ file association from IrfanView
In IrfanView: Options → Properties/Settings → Extensions → Uncheck WSQ
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Block WSQ files at email/web gateways using file extension filtering
- Educate users not to open WSQ files from untrusted sources
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check IrfanView version via Help → About. If version is 4.53, it's vulnerable.Check Version:
irfanview.exe /?Verify Fix Applied:
Verify version is 4.54 or later in Help → About dialog.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes of IrfanView with access violation errors
- Windows Event Logs showing IrfanView process termination
Network Indicators:
- Downloads of WSQ files from untrusted sources
- Email attachments with WSQ extensions
SIEM Query:
EventID=1000 OR EventID=1001 AND ProcessName="i_view32.exe" OR ProcessName="i_view64.exe"