CVE-2005-1275 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the ReadPNMImage function in pnm.c for ImageMagick 6.2.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a PNM file with a small colors value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1275 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within the ImageMagick image processing library, specifically affecting versions 6.2.1 and earlier. This vulnerability resides in the ReadPNMImage function located in the pnm.c source file, which handles the parsing of Portable Pixmap (PPM) and Portable Graymap (PGM) image formats. The flaw manifests when the application processes malformed PNM files containing unusually small color values, creating a condition where memory allocation calculations become corrupted and lead to unauthorized memory access patterns. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-122 as a heap-based buffer overflow, which occurs when more data is written to a buffer allocated on the heap than the buffer can accommodate, potentially allowing for memory corruption and system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a specially formatted PNM file with deliberately manipulated color parameters that cause the ReadPNMImage function to allocate insufficient memory for processing. When ImageMagick attempts to parse this malformed file, the application computes buffer sizes based on the corrupted color value, resulting in an attempt to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. This heap corruption typically leads to application crashes and can potentially be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks depending on the execution environment and memory layout. The vulnerability's remote exploitability stems from the fact that ImageMagick is often used in web applications and file processing systems where users can upload or download image files, making the attack surface particularly broad.
The operational impact of CVE-2005-1275 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise system availability and stability in environments where ImageMagick is integrated into critical workflows. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause applications using ImageMagick to crash repeatedly, leading to service disruption for legitimate users and potential denial of service against entire systems. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in web environments where automatic image processing occurs, as attackers can craft malicious PNM files that will cause crashes whenever the image processing system attempts to handle them. This makes the vulnerability highly relevant to the ATT&CK framework's T1499.004 technique for network denial of service attacks, where adversaries leverage application-level vulnerabilities to disrupt services. The impact is further amplified in automated systems where image processing occurs without user intervention, creating opportunities for cascading failures and system-wide disruptions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2005-1275 primarily involve upgrading to ImageMagick version 6.2.2 or later, where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper input validation and memory allocation checks. System administrators should implement strict file validation protocols to filter out potentially malicious image files before they are processed by ImageMagick applications. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for unusual file processing patterns and implementing sandboxing mechanisms for image handling can provide additional defense layers. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and proper memory management in image processing libraries, and its remediation demonstrates the critical need for regular security updates in widely used open source components. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where ImageMagick is used for automatic file processing.