CVE-2024-11532 Overview
CVE-2024-11532 is an out-of-bounds write vulnerability [CWE-787] in IrfanView, a widely used Windows image viewer. The flaw exists in the parser that handles Drawing Exchange Format (DXF) files. IrfanView fails to properly validate user-supplied data during DXF parsing, allowing an attacker to write past the end of an allocated buffer. Successful exploitation results in arbitrary code execution in the context of the current user process. Exploitation requires user interaction: the target must open a malicious DXF file or visit a page that delivers one. The issue was reported through the Zero Day Initiative as ZDI-CAN-24615.
Critical Impact
Attackers can execute arbitrary code on Windows systems running IrfanView 4.67 (x86 and x64) when a user opens a crafted DXF file.
Affected Products
- IrfanView 4.67 (x64)
- IrfanView 4.67 (x86)
- All IrfanView installations processing DXF files with vulnerable parser logic
Discovery Timeline
- 2024-11-22 - CVE-2024-11532 published to the National Vulnerability Database
- 2026-06-17 - Last updated in NVD database
Technical Details for CVE-2024-11532
Vulnerability Analysis
The vulnerability resides in IrfanView's DXF file parsing routine. DXF is an AutoCAD Drawing Exchange Format used for representing 2D and 3D CAD data as tagged ASCII or binary records. IrfanView reads DXF records to render preview content but does not enforce correct bounds when copying record data into a fixed-size buffer.
An attacker crafts a DXF file with oversized or malformed field values. When IrfanView processes the file, the parser writes attacker-controlled bytes beyond the allocated buffer. This corrupts adjacent heap or stack memory, including function pointers, return addresses, or object metadata. Attackers use this corruption to hijack control flow and execute code with the privileges of the user running IrfanView.
Root Cause
The root cause is missing length validation on user-supplied fields inside DXF records before they are written to a destination buffer. This maps directly to CWE-787: Out-of-bounds Write. The parser trusts size or offset values from the input file rather than clamping them against the destination buffer size.
Attack Vector
Exploitation is local and requires user interaction. An attacker delivers a malicious .dxf file through phishing email, a compromised website, a shared drive, or a drive-by download. The victim opens the file with IrfanView, either directly or through Windows file association, which triggers the vulnerable parser and the out-of-bounds write.
See the Zero Day Initiative Advisory ZDI-24-1587 for additional technical details.
Detection Methods for CVE-2024-11532
Indicators of Compromise
- Unexpected child processes spawned by i_view32.exe or i_view64.exe, such as cmd.exe, powershell.exe, or rundll32.exe
- IrfanView process crashes with access violations while opening .dxf files
- DXF files delivered via email attachments, browser downloads, or removable media from untrusted senders
- Outbound network connections initiated by the IrfanView process shortly after opening a document
Detection Strategies
- Monitor process-creation telemetry for IrfanView spawning shell, scripting, or living-off-the-land binaries
- Alert on IrfanView loading unexpected DLLs from user-writable paths after opening a DXF file
- Correlate IrfanView crash events with recent file-open activity on .dxf extensions
- Inspect email and web gateways for .dxf attachments sent to endpoints known to run IrfanView
Monitoring Recommendations
- Enable command-line and process-tree logging on endpoints running IrfanView
- Forward Windows Application and WER (Windows Error Reporting) crash events to a centralized log platform
- Track file-write activity by the IrfanView process to sensitive directories such as %APPDATA%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup
- Baseline normal IrfanView network behavior and alert on deviations
How to Mitigate CVE-2024-11532
Immediate Actions Required
- Upgrade IrfanView to a version released after the ZDI-24-1587 advisory that addresses DXF parsing
- Restrict opening of .dxf files from untrusted sources until patching is confirmed
- Remove IrfanView from systems that do not require image viewing capabilities
- Educate users on the risks of opening CAD and image files from unknown senders
Patch Information
At the time of publication, the NVD entry lists no vendor patch URL. Administrators should consult the Zero Day Initiative Advisory ZDI-24-1587 and the official IrfanView website for the latest release addressing this issue. Deploy the updated installer to all affected x86 and x64 endpoints.
Workarounds
- Remove the .dxf file association from IrfanView using Windows Default Apps settings
- Block .dxf attachments at email and web gateways for user populations that do not need CAD files
- Apply application allowlisting to prevent IrfanView from launching interpreters or spawning child processes
- Run IrfanView under a standard user account with Windows Defender Exploit Guard controls enabled
Disclaimer: This content was generated using AI. While we strive for accuracy, please verify critical information with official sources.
