CVE-2005-0761 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
Unknown vulnerability in ImageMagick before 6.1.8 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted PSD file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0761 represents a critical denial of service flaw within ImageMagick software versions prior to 6.1.8. This vulnerability specifically targets the processing of Photoshop Document (PSD) files, which are commonly used image formats in professional graphic design and digital media applications. The flaw enables remote attackers to exploit the software by crafting malicious PSD files that trigger application crashes, effectively rendering the service unavailable to legitimate users. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of input validation and memory handling issues that have been historically prevalent in multimedia processing libraries due to the complex nature of image format parsing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input sanitization within ImageMagick's PSD file parser. When the software encounters a malformed PSD file containing specially crafted malicious data structures, the parsing routine fails to properly handle the unexpected input parameters. This leads to memory corruption or stack overflow conditions that cause the application to terminate abruptly. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-129, which covers insufficient validation of array indices. The flaw operates at the application layer and can be exploited through network-based attacks without requiring authentication, making it particularly dangerous for web services that process user-uploaded images.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass broader security implications for systems relying on ImageMagick for image processing tasks. Organizations running web applications, content management systems, or digital asset management platforms that utilize ImageMagick are at risk of experiencing service unavailability when attackers upload malicious PSD files. The vulnerability can be exploited in various attack scenarios including web application exploitation, automated scanning tools, and social engineering campaigns targeting system administrators. According to ATT&CK framework category T1499, this vulnerability represents a method for performing application or system compromise through resource exhaustion or service disruption, while also aligning with T1203 for legitimate program exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0761 primarily focus on immediate software updates and implementation of defensive measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading ImageMagick to version 6.1.8 or later, where the vulnerability has been patched through improved input validation and memory handling routines. Organizations should also implement file type validation and content inspection mechanisms to prevent processing of potentially malicious files. Network-level defenses including firewalls and intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor for suspicious file upload patterns and limit access to image processing endpoints. Additionally, implementing sandboxing techniques and privilege separation for image processing services can limit the impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running outdated versions of ImageMagick and ensure comprehensive patch management across all affected environments.