CVE-2003-0555 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
ImageMagick 5.4.3.x and earlier allows attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a "%x" filename, possibly triggering a format string vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/15/2018
ImageMagick version 5.4.3.x and earlier contains a critical vulnerability that stems from improper handling of format specifiers in filename processing, creating a potential format string vulnerability that can be exploited to cause denial of service or arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the software processes filenames containing the "%x" format specifier, which can lead to unpredictable behavior in the application's string formatting routines. The flaw exists in the core image processing library where user-supplied filenames are parsed and interpreted without adequate sanitization or validation of format specifiers. When an attacker supplies a malicious filename containing "%x" characters, the application's internal string formatting functions may interpret these as format specifiers rather than literal characters, leading to memory corruption and potential code execution. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-134 category of format string vulnerability, which is classified as a serious weakness in software security. The attack vector typically involves an attacker providing a crafted filename that contains format specifiers, which when processed by ImageMagick's vulnerable code paths, can cause the application to read from or write to arbitrary memory locations. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can potentially allow remote code execution if the attacker can control the memory locations being accessed. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web applications or services that process user-uploaded images, as it can be exploited through simple file uploads or URL manipulation. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input validation and proper string handling, where the application fails to distinguish between legitimate format specifiers and malicious input that could be used to manipulate program execution flow. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system through improper input handling. The severity of this issue is compounded by the fact that ImageMagick is widely used across various platforms and applications, making it a prime target for exploitation. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause applications using ImageMagick to crash or potentially provide remote code execution capabilities to attackers. The vulnerability affects not only the core ImageMagick library but also any applications that rely on it for image processing, including web servers, content management systems, and various multimedia applications. The exploitation of this vulnerability requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous in environments where user uploads are processed without proper validation. Organizations using affected versions of ImageMagick should prioritize immediate patching, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely and does not require special privileges to trigger. The fix typically involves implementing proper input validation and sanitization of filenames, ensuring that format specifiers are properly escaped or rejected during filename processing to prevent unintended interpretation by the application's string formatting functions.