CVE-2004-1307 in Mac OS X
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the TIFFFetchStripThing function in tif_dirread.c for libtiff 3.6.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a TIFF file with the STRIPOFFSETS flag and a large number of strips, which causes a zero byte buffer to be allocated and leads to a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/22/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1307 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the libtiff library version 3.6.1, specifically within the TIFFFetchStripThing function located in the tif_dirread.c source file. This vulnerability arises from improper handling of integer values during the processing of TIFF image files, creating a scenario where attackers can manipulate file structures to trigger malicious code execution. The flaw manifests when processing TIFF files that contain the STRIPOFFSETS flag combined with an excessive number of strips, fundamentally compromising the memory management mechanisms of the affected library.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental weakness in integer arithmetic handling within the TIFF file parsing routine. When the library processes a specially crafted TIFF file with the STRIPOFFSETS flag and an inflated strip count, the integer overflow causes the calculation of buffer size to wrap around to zero or a minimal value. This results in the allocation of a zero-byte buffer instead of the expected memory allocation required for processing the actual image data. The heap-based buffer overflow occurs because the system attempts to write data beyond the bounds of this incorrectly sized buffer, creating opportunities for memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to execute arbitrary code.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1307 extends significantly across various systems that rely on libtiff for image processing, including web applications, image servers, and document management systems. Attackers can remotely exploit this vulnerability by uploading or providing malicious TIFF files that trigger the overflow condition during normal file processing operations. This remote code execution capability places organizations at risk of complete system compromise, as the vulnerability allows attackers to potentially gain unauthorized access, escalate privileges, and establish persistent control over affected systems. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-190 indicates it involves an integer overflow condition that can lead to buffer overflows, while its exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation and T1059 for command and control through arbitrary code execution.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected libtiff installations to version 3.6.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the integer overflow handling. System administrators should implement strict file validation procedures that verify TIFF file integrity before processing, including checking strip count parameters and validating file headers against known good patterns. Network-level defenses should include content filtering mechanisms that block TIFF file uploads or processing in environments where such files are not essential. Additionally, implementing memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and heap protection features can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Organizations should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious file processing patterns and maintain comprehensive logging of image file operations to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a prime example of why proper input validation and robust integer arithmetic handling are critical components of secure software development practices, particularly in libraries that process untrusted data from external sources.