CVE-2006-3376 in libwmf
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in player.c in libwmf 0.2.8.4, as used in multiple products including (1) wv, (2) abiword, (3) freetype, (4) gimp, (5) libgsf, and (6) imagemagick allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the MaxRecordSize header field in a WMF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/21/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-3376 represents a critical integer overflow condition within the libwmf library version 0.2.8.4 that affects numerous multimedia and document processing applications. This flaw exists in the player.c component of the library and specifically targets the handling of the MaxRecordSize header field within Windows Metafile (WMF) format files. The vulnerability has been identified as affecting widely used software packages including wv, abiword, freetype, gimp, libgsf, and imagemagick, making it a significant threat to multiple application ecosystems. The integer overflow occurs when the library processes malformed WMF files with maliciously crafted MaxRecordSize values that exceed the maximum representable integer value.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves manipulating the MaxRecordSize header field in WMF files to trigger an integer overflow condition during memory allocation operations. When the library processes a WMF file containing an oversized MaxRecordSize value, the integer overflow causes the subsequent memory allocation to request an amount of memory that is significantly smaller than intended due to wraparound behavior. This creates a situation where attackers can control the amount of memory allocated and potentially overwrite adjacent memory regions. The flaw falls under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability enables attackers to craft malicious WMF files that, when processed by any of the affected applications, can result in buffer overflows and subsequent code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-3376 extends across multiple software domains that utilize the libwmf library for handling WMF graphics files. Attackers can remotely execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable applications by simply opening or processing a specially crafted WMF file, making this a particularly dangerous vulnerability for web-based applications and document processing systems. The attack surface is broad given that the affected software includes office suites, image processing tools, and document viewers that are commonly used in both enterprise and personal computing environments. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which involves the exploitation of legitimate credentials and system privileges to execute malicious code, and T1203, which covers the exploitation of software vulnerabilities for remote code execution. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the fact that many of these applications are used in environments where users may unknowingly open malicious documents or view web content containing crafted WMF files.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected applications and libraries to versions that properly handle integer overflow conditions in WMF file processing. System administrators should implement strict file validation and filtering mechanisms to prevent processing of WMF files from untrusted sources, particularly in web applications and email systems. The recommended approach includes updating libwmf to version 0.2.8.5 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for integer overflow handling in the player.c component. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing sandboxing techniques for applications that process WMF files, as well as monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network-based security controls should be configured to block WMF file extensions at network boundaries, and user education programs should be implemented to prevent opening suspicious files from unknown sources. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper integer overflow handling in security-critical libraries and the necessity of comprehensive input validation across all software components that process external data formats.