CVE-2004-0817 in Red Hat
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple heap-based buffer overflows in the imlib BMP image handler allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted BMP file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0817 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within the imlib image handling library, specifically affecting the BMP image format parser. This vulnerability exists in the way the library processes bitmap files, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to manipulate memory allocation patterns during image parsing operations. The flaw manifests when the imlib library attempts to read and process malformed BMP files, particularly those with crafted dimensions or header values that exceed expected memory boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the BMP handler component of the imlib library. When processing a specially crafted BMP file, the library allocates heap memory based on header values without adequate validation of these values against actual file boundaries. This allows an attacker to overflow allocated buffers and overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow. The vulnerability specifically targets heap memory structures where the library allocates space for image data based on parsed width and height values from the BMP header, creating a condition where malicious input can trigger memory corruption.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems that process user-uploaded or externally sourced BMP images, including web applications, image processing servers, and multimedia applications. The remote code execution capability means that an attacker could potentially gain full control over a vulnerable system simply by enticing a user to view a maliciously crafted BMP file through an application that uses the affected imlib library. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in web environments where users might unknowingly download and process compromised images, creating a vector for automated exploitation.
The impact of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-122, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1203, representing exploitation of remote services through malformed input. Organizations utilizing applications built with imlib or dependent libraries should consider immediate patching strategies, particularly those running web servers, file processing services, or any application that handles image file uploads. Network segmentation and input validation measures should be implemented as additional defensive controls, while monitoring for suspicious image file processing activities can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia processing libraries, as these components often handle untrusted data from external sources without adequate sanitization mechanisms.