CVE-2006-4519 in GIMP
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in the image loader plug-ins in GIMP before 2.2.16 allow user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted length values in (1) DICOM, (2) PNM, (3) PSD, (4) PSP, (5) Sun RAS, (6) XBM, and (7) XWD files.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4519 represents a critical security flaw in the GIMP image processing software that affects versions prior to 2.2.16. This issue stems from multiple integer overflow conditions present within the image loader plug-ins that handle various file formats including DICOM, PNM, PSD, PSP, Sun RAS, XBM, and XWD. The vulnerability occurs when the software processes crafted length values in these image formats, creating a scenario where attackers can manipulate memory allocation through malformed file parameters. These integer overflows represent a fundamental flaw in input validation and memory management within the image processing pipeline, allowing malicious actors to potentially exploit the software through user-assisted remote execution scenarios.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and demonstrates how improper handling of integer values can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. When GIMP processes these specially crafted image files, the integer overflows occur during the parsing of file headers and metadata where length fields are used to determine buffer sizes for memory allocation. The flaw manifests when these length values exceed the maximum representable integer values, causing the software to allocate insufficient memory or trigger unexpected behavior in the memory management system. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities through memory corruption attacks that can lead to privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple image processing capabilities, as it creates a potential attack vector through which remote adversaries can compromise systems running vulnerable versions of GIMP. Attackers can craft malicious image files that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, trigger the integer overflow conditions and execute malicious code with the privileges of the user running GIMP. This scenario is particularly concerning in environments where users might encounter image files from untrusted sources, such as email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also organizations that rely on GIMP for image processing tasks, as the exploitation can lead to complete system compromise through the execution of arbitrary code.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4519 primarily focus on updating to GIMP version 2.2.16 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the integer overflow conditions in the affected image loader plug-ins. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as restricting user access to potentially malicious image files and implementing sandboxing techniques when processing untrusted image content. Network-level protections can include content filtering and file type validation to prevent the download or execution of potentially malicious image files. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and memory management in software development, particularly in applications that process untrusted data from external sources. Organizations should also consider implementing regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues in other image processing software and ensure comprehensive protection against memory corruption vulnerabilities that could lead to arbitrary code execution attacks.