CVE-2004-0981 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the EXIF parsing routine in ImageMagick before 6.1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a certain image file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0981 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within ImageMagick's EXIF parsing functionality, affecting versions prior to 6.1.0. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and memory management within the image processing library that handles exchangeable image file format metadata. The flaw specifically manifests when ImageMagick processes image files containing malformed EXIF data, creating conditions where attacker-controlled input can overwrite adjacent memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
This buffer overflow vulnerability operates through the manipulation of EXIF metadata structures within image files, particularly targeting the parsing routines that extract and process this metadata. When an application using ImageMagick processes an image containing maliciously crafted EXIF data, the parsing routine fails to properly bounds-check the incoming data, allowing an attacker to inject additional data that overflows the designated buffer space. The overflow occurs during the extraction of EXIF tags and their associated values, where the software assumes certain data sizes without proper validation mechanisms. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, representing a fundamental flaw in memory management practices within the software's image processing pipeline.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends significantly beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that can be leveraged by attackers to gain unauthorized control over systems processing these image files. When exploited, the buffer overflow can overwrite critical program execution elements including return addresses, function pointers, or other control data structures, potentially allowing attackers to redirect program flow to malicious code payloads. The vulnerability affects any system that utilizes ImageMagick for image processing, including web applications, content management systems, and file processing services that accept user-uploaded images containing EXIF metadata.
Systems utilizing ImageMagick for image processing and manipulation are particularly vulnerable to exploitation, especially those that process untrusted image files from external sources without proper sanitization. Web applications that allow users to upload images, email systems that process image attachments, and content management platforms that automatically process uploaded media files all represent potential attack vectors. The remote execution capability means that attackers can exploit this vulnerability without requiring local access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. According to ATT&CK framework categorization, this vulnerability maps to T1190 - Exploit Public-Facing Application and T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables both application exploitation and remote command execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-0981 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches to versions 6.1.0 and later where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper bounds checking and memory management improvements. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected ImageMagick installations are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation for image files, particularly EXIF metadata, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and configuring application sandboxes to limit potential damage from successful exploits. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the CERT Secure Coding Standards, particularly regarding buffer management and input validation. Regular security assessments of image processing pipelines and implementation of principle of least privilege for image processing services can further reduce the attack surface and potential impact of similar vulnerabilities.