CVE-2003-0455 in Libmagick Library
Summary
by MITRE
The imagemagick libmagick library 5.5 and earlier creates temporary files insecurely, which allows local users to create or overwrite arbitrary files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0455 affects the imagemagick libmagick library version 5.5 and earlier, representing a critical security flaw in how the software handles temporary file creation during image processing operations. This issue stems from insecure temporary file handling practices that expose the system to privilege escalation and arbitrary file manipulation attacks. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-377 as insecure temporary file creation and falls within the broader ATT&CK framework as a privilege escalation technique through insecure file handling. When imagemagick processes certain image formats, it generates temporary files without proper security measures, creating opportunities for malicious users to exploit the system's file creation mechanisms.
The technical flaw manifests in the library's approach to temporary file generation where it does not adequately secure the temporary file creation process, allowing local attackers to predict or manipulate temporary file names and locations. This insecure implementation enables attackers to create or overwrite files with elevated privileges, potentially leading to system compromise. The vulnerability specifically impacts systems where imagemagick is installed and used for image processing, particularly in environments where the software runs with elevated permissions or where users have the ability to submit images for processing. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted image files that trigger the insecure temporary file creation behavior, potentially resulting in the overwrite of critical system files or the creation of malicious files with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple file manipulation, as it can enable attackers to escalate privileges and gain unauthorized access to system resources. Local users who can submit images for processing through imagemagick are essentially granted the ability to manipulate the file system in ways that could compromise system integrity. This vulnerability particularly affects systems where imagemagick is used in web applications or automated processing environments where untrusted image files are processed. The attack vector is straightforward and requires minimal expertise to execute, making it a significant concern for organizations that rely on imagemagick for image processing tasks. The potential for privilege escalation means that an attacker could potentially gain access to sensitive data, modify system files, or establish persistent access to the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0455 focus primarily on updating to patched versions of imagemagick where the temporary file handling has been corrected. Organizations should immediately upgrade to imagemagick versions that address this vulnerability, as the insecure temporary file creation behavior has been remediated in subsequent releases. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as restricting the execution permissions of imagemagick components and monitoring for suspicious temporary file creation patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and proper temporary file handling, which aligns with security best practices outlined in various industry standards including those from the Open Web Application Security Project and the Center for Internet Security. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify systems running vulnerable versions of imagemagick and ensure that all image processing applications are updated to prevent exploitation of this and similar insecure temporary file handling vulnerabilities.