CVE-2006-3744 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in ImageMagick before 6.2.9 allows user-assisted attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted Sun Rasterfile (bitmap) images that trigger heap-based buffer overflows.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/24/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3744 represents a critical security flaw within ImageMagick, a widely used image processing library that handles numerous graphic formats including the Sun Rasterfile format. This issue affects versions prior to 6.2.9 and stems from improper input validation mechanisms that fail to adequately check integer values during image parsing operations. The flaw specifically manifests when processing crafted Sun Rasterfile images, which are bitmap image formats commonly used in unix environments and supported by ImageMagick for both input and output operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves integer overflows that occur during the parsing of image metadata and dimension specifications within Sun Rasterfile format files. When an attacker crafts a malicious image file containing manipulated width, height, or color depth values, these oversized integers can cause arithmetic operations to wrap around to small values, resulting in insufficient memory allocation for subsequent buffer operations. This integer overflow condition directly translates into heap-based buffer overflows when the application attempts to allocate memory for image data structures, creating opportunities for memory corruption that can be exploited by adversaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation scenarios as it enables arbitrary code execution through user-assisted attack vectors. Attackers can craft malicious Sun Rasterfile images and deliver them via various means including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms where ImageMagick is utilized for image processing. The exploitation process typically involves crafting specific bit patterns that cause the integer overflow during image parsing, followed by carefully positioned payload data that can be executed when the corrupted memory is accessed during rendering or processing operations. This vulnerability affects systems where ImageMagick is integrated into web applications, content management systems, or any environment where user-uploaded images are processed without proper sanitization.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and demonstrates how improper integer handling can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities. From an attack perspective, this flaw maps to techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 category for execution through command and scripting interpreters, as well as T1203 for exploitation of software vulnerabilities. The attack surface is particularly broad given ImageMagick's widespread adoption across various operating systems and applications, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited in multiple contexts including web servers, desktop applications, and automated processing pipelines. Organizations utilizing ImageMagick in production environments should prioritize immediate patching to version 6.2.9 or later, while implementing additional security controls such as image validation, sandboxed processing environments, and monitoring for suspicious image processing activities.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patch deployment to address the root cause, along with implementing input validation controls that reject malformed image files before they reach the parsing layer. Security configurations should enforce strict memory limits and monitoring for anomalous memory allocation patterns during image processing operations. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems running ImageMagick, particularly those handling untrusted user input. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify potential exploitation vectors and ensure that all related components within the image processing pipeline remain secure against similar integer overflow vulnerabilities.