CVE-2005-0762 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the SGI parser in ImageMagick before 6.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted SGI image file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0762 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the SGI image parser component of ImageMagick version 6.0 and earlier. This flaw exists in the handling of SGI (Silicon Graphics Image) format files, which are commonly used for storing high-quality raster graphics and are supported by many image processing applications. The vulnerability specifically affects the memory management operations within the parser, where insufficient bounds checking allows maliciously crafted SGI image files to overwrite adjacent memory locations in the heap. The heap-based nature of this overflow means that the attack can potentially corrupt heap metadata structures and function pointers, creating opportunities for arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely through web applications or other systems that process user-uploaded images, making it a significant threat to web server security and image processing workflows.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the SGI parser's failure to properly validate the size and structure of image data elements before attempting to copy or process them into fixed-size buffers allocated on the heap. When a crafted SGI file contains malformed header information or oversized data segments, the parser's internal memory allocation routines become susceptible to buffer overflows. The specific memory corruption occurs during the parsing of SGI image headers and pixel data, where the application fails to validate the expected dimensions and data lengths against the actual file contents. This allows attackers to overflow heap-allocated buffers and potentially overwrite critical memory structures including return addresses, function pointers, or other metadata used by the heap allocator. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a heap-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in memory management that has been exploited in numerous security incidents throughout the history of software development. The attack vector requires only that a victim process an attacker-controlled SGI image file, making it particularly dangerous in web environments where image processing is common.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-0762 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data breach scenarios. Remote exploitation of this vulnerability can allow attackers to gain full control of systems running vulnerable versions of ImageMagick, particularly web servers or applications that process user-uploaded images. The severity of this vulnerability is amplified by its ease of exploitation, as it requires no special privileges or complex attack chains to achieve successful compromise. Systems utilizing ImageMagick for image processing, including content management systems, web applications, and image hosting services, are all at risk when running vulnerable versions. The vulnerability can be leveraged to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the ImageMagick process, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or further lateral movement within network environments. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and represents a classic example of how image processing libraries can become attack vectors in modern web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-0762 center on immediate software updates and deployment of patched versions of ImageMagick. The most effective solution involves upgrading to ImageMagick version 6.0 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and memory validation in the SGI parser implementation. Organizations should also implement input validation measures to restrict image file types and sizes, particularly for user-uploaded content in web applications. Additional protective measures include running ImageMagick processes with minimal privileges, implementing network segmentation, and deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Security professionals should consider disabling SGI image format support entirely if it is not required for business operations, as this eliminates the attack surface entirely. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in image processing libraries and underscores the need for regular security updates and vulnerability assessments in software supply chains. Organizations should also implement automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security fixes and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts in their environments.