CVE-2020-13878
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2020-13878 is a critical heap-based out-of-bounds write vulnerability in IrfanView's B3D plugin that allows remote code execution. Attackers can exploit this by tricking users into opening a malicious B3D file, potentially gaining full control of the affected system. All users of IrfanView with the vulnerable B3D plugin are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- IrfanView with B3D PlugIns
📦 What is this software?
B3d by Irfanview
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with attacker gaining administrative privileges, data theft, ransomware deployment, and persistent backdoor installation.
Likely Case
Remote code execution with user-level privileges leading to malware installation, credential theft, and lateral movement within the network.
If Mitigated
Limited impact if application runs with restricted privileges, though data exfiltration and limited system access may still occur.
🎯 Exploit Status
Exploit requires user interaction to open malicious file. Public proof-of-concept code exists in GitHub gists.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: 4.56 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://www.irfanview.com/main_history.htm
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Download IrfanView 4.56 or later from official website. 2. Run installer. 3. Select 'Update' option if upgrading. 4. Complete installation wizard.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable B3D Plugin
windowsRemove or disable the vulnerable B3d.dll plugin to prevent exploitation
move "C:\Program Files\IrfanView\Plugins\B3d.dll" "C:\Program Files\IrfanView\Plugins\B3d.dll.disabled"
Restrict File Associations
windowsRemove B3D file type associations from IrfanView
Open IrfanView > Options > Properties/Settings > Extensions > Uncheck .b3d association
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Run IrfanView with restricted user privileges using application sandboxing or limited user accounts.
- Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of unauthorized binaries from IrfanView processes.
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check IrfanView version via Help > About. If version is below 4.56 and B3D plugin is present, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
"C:\Program Files\IrfanView\i_view64.exe" /versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify IrfanView version is 4.56 or higher and check that B3d.dll file version has been updated.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Process creation events from IrfanView spawning unexpected child processes
- File access attempts to suspicious B3D files
- Crash reports from IrfanView with memory corruption errors
Network Indicators:
- Downloads of B3D files from untrusted sources
- Outbound connections from IrfanView process to unknown IPs
SIEM Query:
source="windows" AND process_name="i_view*.exe" AND (child_process!="" OR file_extension=".b3d")