CVE-2006-0082 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in the SetImageInfo function in image.c for ImageMagick 6.2.3 and other versions, and GraphicsMagick, allows user-assisted attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a numeric format string specifier such as %d in the file name, a variant of CVE-2005-0397, and as demonstrated using the convert program.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-0082 represents a critical format string flaw within the ImageMagick image processing library, specifically within the SetImageInfo function located in the image.c source file. This vulnerability affects ImageMagick versions up to 6.2.3 and also impacts GraphicsMagick, making it a widespread issue across multiple image processing frameworks. The flaw stems from improper handling of user-supplied input during image file name processing, where the application fails to properly sanitize or validate format specifiers embedded within file names. This vulnerability operates as a variant of CVE-2005-0397, indicating a recurring pattern in image processing libraries where format string vulnerabilities are exploited through crafted input parameters.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker provides a specially crafted file name containing numeric format string specifiers such as %d, %x, or other format specifiers that are not properly escaped or validated. When the SetImageInfo function processes these malformed file names, it inadvertently passes the user-controlled input directly to format string functions without proper sanitization. This allows attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow by injecting format specifiers that can read from memory locations or write to specific memory addresses. The vulnerability manifests as an application crash or segmentation fault, but in more sophisticated attacks, it can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code within the context of the running process. The convert program serves as the primary demonstration tool for exploiting this vulnerability, highlighting the practical attack surface within common image processing workflows.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-0082 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable remote code execution, making it a severe security concern for systems that process untrusted image files. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web applications, content management systems, or any environment where users can upload image files, as it provides an attack vector that can be exploited without requiring special privileges. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-134, which specifically addresses the use of format strings with user-supplied data, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1190 for exploitation of vulnerabilities in image processing libraries. Systems utilizing ImageMagick or GraphicsMagick for image conversion, thumbnail generation, or file processing are at risk, particularly when these libraries are invoked with untrusted input from web forms or file upload handlers.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected ImageMagick and GraphicsMagick installations to versions that properly sanitize format string inputs. Organizations should implement strict input validation for all file names and paths, ensuring that format specifiers are escaped or removed before processing. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can help limit the attack surface by restricting access to vulnerable image processing functions. Additionally, implementing proper error handling and input sanitization within applications that utilize these libraries can provide defense in depth. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file name patterns containing format specifiers, and regular security assessments should verify that image processing functions are properly isolated from untrusted input sources. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in image processing libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of file parsing functions in multimedia applications.