CVE-2004-0111 in gdk-pixbuf
Summary
by MITRE
gdk-pixbuf before 0.20 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a malformed bitmap (BMP) file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/04/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0111 affects the gdk-pixbuf library version 0.20 and earlier, representing a significant security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks through carefully crafted bitmap files. This issue specifically targets the image processing capabilities of the gdk-pixbuf library, which serves as a fundamental component in many graphical applications and desktop environments across various operating systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the library's bitmap file parser, particularly when handling malformed BMP files that contain unexpected or malformed data structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the gdk-pixbuf library's failure to properly validate and sanitize bitmap file headers and data segments before processing them. When the library encounters a malformed BMP file, it attempts to parse the data without sufficient bounds checking or error handling, leading to memory corruption or invalid memory access patterns that ultimately result in application crashes. This behavior aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities, and CWE-129, which covers improper validation of array indices. The flaw occurs during the image loading process where the library's bitmap parser does not adequately verify the integrity of the file structure, particularly in handling fields such as image dimensions, color table entries, and data offsets that may contain malicious or malformed values.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to systems relying on gdk-pixbuf for image processing, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted bitmap files from external sources. The denial of service impact extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially affect entire desktop environments or network services that depend on graphical capabilities. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious BMP files that, when opened by applications using gdk-pixbuf, will trigger the crash behavior and render the affected applications unavailable. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in web applications or file sharing systems where users might inadvertently download and open malicious image files, making it a prime target for exploitation in social engineering attacks or automated malware delivery mechanisms.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0111 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches that address the underlying validation issues in the gdk-pixbuf library. System administrators should prioritize updating to gdk-pixbuf version 0.20 or later, where the vulnerability has been resolved through enhanced input validation and proper error handling mechanisms. Additionally, organizations should implement defensive measures such as restricting file type handling in applications that process user-uploaded content, employing sandboxing techniques for image processing operations, and establishing robust input validation protocols for all image file formats. Network security controls including content filtering and file type restrictions can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in graphics libraries and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities for denial of service purposes, highlighting the need for comprehensive security testing of image processing components in software applications.