CVE-2004-0990 in gdlib
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in GD Graphics Library libgd 2.0.28 (libgd2), and possibly other versions, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via PNG image files with large image rows values that lead to a heap-based buffer overflow in the gdImageCreateFromPngCtx function, a different set of vulnerabilities than CVE-2004-0941.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-0990 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the GD Graphics Library version 2.0.28 and potentially other variants. This issue specifically affects the libgd2 library implementation and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to severe security consequences. The vulnerability resides in the gdImageCreateFromPngCtx function which processes PNG image files, making it particularly dangerous given the widespread use of PNG format across web applications and image processing systems. The flaw manifests when PNG files contain image rows values that exceed normal operational parameters, creating conditions where integer arithmetic produces unexpected results.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through heap-based buffer overflow conditions that arise from the integer overflow in the image row processing logic. When the library attempts to allocate memory for processing PNG image data with excessively large row values, the integer overflow causes the system to allocate insufficient memory buffers. This inadequate memory allocation creates a condition where subsequent data processing operations can overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially leading to denial of service conditions or arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory management and input validation, where the library fails to properly validate the bounds of integer values before performing memory allocation operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to web servers and applications that utilize the GD Graphics Library for image processing tasks. Attackers can craft malicious PNG files with carefully constructed row values to trigger the overflow condition, potentially causing application crashes, system instability, or even remote code execution in vulnerable environments. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service as the heap corruption can be leveraged to manipulate program execution flow, making this a serious concern for any system processing untrusted image data. The vulnerability affects not only web applications but also any software components that depend on libgd2 for image handling functionality.
The security implications of CVE-2004-0990 align with CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1203, involving exploitation of input validation flaws for privilege escalation and system compromise. Organizations utilizing affected versions of libgd2 should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched library versions, implementing strict input validation for image files, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper integer bounds checking in memory allocation routines, emphasizing the need for defensive programming practices that prevent arithmetic overflow conditions in security-critical applications. Additionally, the issue underscores the necessity of regular security assessments and patch management programs to address similar vulnerabilities in third-party libraries that form integral parts of application infrastructure.