CVE-2005-0664 in libexif
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the EXIF library (libexif) 0.6.9 does not properly validate the structure of the EXIF tags, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a JPEG image with a crafted EXIF tag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/06/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0664 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the libexif library version 0.6.9, which is a widely used open-source library for parsing and manipulating EXIF metadata in JPEG images. This library serves as a fundamental component in numerous image processing applications, digital cameras, and photo management software across various operating systems. The flaw manifests when the library fails to adequately validate the structure and boundaries of EXIF tags contained within JPEG image files, creating a pathway for maliciously crafted metadata to trigger unintended memory behavior.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the EXIF parsing routines of libexif. When an application processes a JPEG image containing specially crafted EXIF data, the library attempts to read and interpret the metadata without sufficient boundary checking or length validation. This deficiency allows an attacker to construct EXIF tags that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption that results in application crashes or, in more severe cases, arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates at the memory management level where insufficient bounds checking permits stack or heap overflows, making it particularly dangerous in environments where image processing applications handle untrusted input from external sources.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that process JPEG images from untrusted sources, including web applications, email servers, and digital asset management systems. The remote attack vector means that adversaries can exploit this weakness without requiring local access to the target system, making it particularly concerning for web-facing applications. The potential for denial of service represents an immediate threat to system availability, while the possibility of arbitrary code execution could allow attackers to gain complete control over affected systems. This vulnerability has been classified under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain system access.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond individual system compromise to affect entire application ecosystems that depend on libexif for image metadata handling. Applications including web browsers, photo editing software, and content management systems that utilize this library become vulnerable to exploitation, creating cascading security implications across multiple platforms. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to libexif version 0.6.10 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow conditions, and deploying input validation measures to sanitize EXIF data before processing. Additionally, security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual image processing activities and potential exploitation attempts through malformed JPEG files, as these attacks may be difficult to distinguish from legitimate but malformed image data.