CVE-2024-6811
📋 TL;DR
This vulnerability allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by tricking users into opening malicious WSQ files in IrfanView. Attackers can gain full control of the affected system through a buffer overflow in the WSQ file parser. All IrfanView users who open untrusted WSQ files are affected.
💻 Affected Systems
- IrfanView
📦 What is this software?
Irfanview by Irfanview
Wsq by Irfanview
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Complete system compromise with attacker gaining the same privileges as the logged-in user, potentially leading to data theft, ransomware deployment, or lateral movement.
Likely Case
Malicious actors distributing weaponized WSQ files via email or websites to execute malware or establish persistence on targeted systems.
If Mitigated
Limited impact with proper application whitelisting, user training, and network segmentation preventing successful exploitation.
🎯 Exploit Status
User interaction required (opening malicious file). ZDI has confirmed the vulnerability but no public exploit is available yet.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Check IrfanView website for latest version
Vendor Advisory: https://www.irfanview.com/
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Download latest IrfanView version from official website
2. Run installer and follow prompts
3. Verify update by checking Help > About
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable WSQ file association
windowsRemove IrfanView as default handler for WSQ files
Control Panel > Default Programs > Set Associations > Find .wsq > Change program
Application control policy
windowsBlock IrfanView from executing via application whitelisting
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network segmentation to isolate systems running IrfanView
- Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) to monitor for exploitation attempts
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check IrfanView version in Help > About menuCheck Version:
irfanview.exe /?Verify Fix Applied:
Verify installed version matches latest release from official website📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Process creation events for IrfanView with unusual parent processes
- File access events for WSQ files from untrusted sources
Network Indicators:
- Downloads of WSQ files from external sources
- Unusual outbound connections after IrfanView execution
SIEM Query:
source="windows" AND process_name="irfanview.exe" AND file_extension=".wsq"