CVE-2005-2452 in libtiff
Summary
by MITRE
libtiff up to 3.7.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a TIFF image header with a zero "YCbCr subsampling" value, which causes a divide-by-zero error in (1) tif_strip.c and (2) tif_tile.c, a different vulnerability than CVE-2004-0804.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/10/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-2452 affects the libtiff library version 3.7.0 and earlier, representing a critical denial of service flaw that can be exploited remotely through specially crafted TIFF image files. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of image headers where the YCbCr subsampling value is set to zero, creating a divide-by-zero condition that leads to application crashes. The flaw exists in two primary locations within the library's codebase, namely the tif_strip.c and tif_tile.c modules, which are responsible for processing strip-based and tile-based TIFF image data respectively. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic software error pattern where insufficient input validation leads to arithmetic exceptions that terminate application execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits a fundamental mathematical error in the TIFF image processing logic where the code attempts to perform division operations using the YCbCr subsampling parameter without proper validation of its value. When a zero value is encountered in the subsampling field of the TIFF image header, the application's processing routines attempt to divide by this zero value, resulting in a system-level exception that causes the application to terminate abruptly. This divide-by-zero error occurs during the normal processing flow when the library attempts to calculate image dimensions or memory allocation parameters based on the subsampling values provided in the image header. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through any application that utilizes libtiff for image processing, including web applications, image viewers, and document management systems that accept TIFF file uploads.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems that process untrusted TIFF image files from external sources. Attackers can craft malicious TIFF files with zero subsampling values and deliver them through various attack vectors including web uploads, email attachments, or file sharing systems. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks if the vulnerable applications are part of larger processing pipelines or if the crash conditions can be manipulated to trigger additional memory corruption issues. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited without requiring special privileges or authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where automated image processing systems are deployed. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability differs from CVE-2004-0804, indicating that multiple similar flaws exist within the same codebase, suggesting potential code quality issues in the TIFF processing modules.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-369, which specifically addresses the divide by zero error condition, and represents a clear violation of input validation best practices. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique related to network denial of service and T1595.001 for reconnaissance through information discovery. The flaw demonstrates a lack of proper error handling and input sanitization that is fundamental to secure coding practices. Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to libtiff version 3.7.1 or later where this vulnerability has been addressed, implementing proper input validation at the application level, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious TIFF file patterns. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the importance of regular security assessments of third-party libraries and the implementation of automated patch management processes to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in widely used software components.