CVE-2004-0886 in libtiff
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in libtiff 3.6.1 and earlier allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash or memory corruption) via TIFF images that lead to incorrect malloc calls.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0886 represents a critical security flaw within the libtiff library version 3.6.1 and earlier, affecting systems that process TIFF image files. This issue stems from improper handling of integer values during memory allocation operations, creating conditions where maliciously crafted TIFF images can trigger unexpected behavior in applications relying on libtiff for image processing. The vulnerability falls under the category of integer overflows as defined by CWE-190, which specifically addresses issues arising from integer wrapping or truncation during arithmetic operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when libtiff processes TIFF image headers and metadata, particularly in scenarios involving image dimensions or data segment sizes. When these values exceed the maximum representable integer values, the resulting overflow causes subsequent malloc calls to allocate insufficient memory or incorrect amounts of memory, leading to memory corruption. This memory corruption typically manifests as crashes or unpredictable behavior in the affected applications, making it a reliable vector for denial of service attacks. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through remote network connections where applications process untrusted TIFF files without proper input validation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that handle TIFF image processing, including web servers, image processing applications, and document management systems. Attackers can craft malicious TIFF files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, cause system crashes or memory corruption that can be exploited to disrupt services or potentially escalate privileges. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service as memory corruption can sometimes lead to arbitrary code execution depending on the specific application context and memory layout. This vulnerability affects a wide range of applications including web browsers, image viewers, document conversion tools, and server applications that process user-uploaded TIFF content, making it particularly dangerous in multi-user environments.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0886 primarily focus on upgrading to libtiff version 3.6.2 or later, which contains patches specifically addressing the integer overflow conditions. System administrators should also implement input validation measures to reject TIFF files with suspicious dimensions or metadata values before processing them. Additionally, applications using libtiff should be configured to use memory-safe programming practices and implement proper bounds checking for all integer operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for Denial of Service, where adversaries leverage software flaws to disrupt system availability. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious TIFF content, particularly in environments where user-uploaded content is processed without proper sanitization.