CVE-2007-0770 in GraphicsMagick
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in GraphicsMagick and ImageMagick allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a PALM image that is not properly handled by the ReadPALMImage function in coders/palm.c. NOTE: this issue is due to an incomplete patch for CVE-2006-5456.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0770 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting GraphicsMagick and ImageMagick image processing libraries. This security issue specifically targets the ReadPALMImage function within the coders/palm.c file, where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption when processing malformed PALM image files. The vulnerability manifests as a user-assisted remote attack vector, meaning that an attacker can exploit this weakness by convincing a victim to open or process a specially crafted PALM image file. The flaw constitutes a direct consequence of an incomplete patch for CVE-2006-5456, demonstrating how remediation efforts can sometimes introduce new attack surfaces when not thoroughly tested or implemented.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the ReadPALMImage function fails to properly validate the dimensions and structure of PALM image headers before attempting to read and process image data. This function processes the image metadata and allocates memory buffers based on potentially malicious input values provided in the image file's header fields. When attackers supply malformed PALM files with oversized or malformed dimension parameters, the function attempts to allocate insufficient memory buffers, leading to memory corruption that can trigger stack smashing or heap corruption. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-122 for heap-based buffer overflow scenarios depending on the specific memory allocation patterns used during processing.
Operationally, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems processing image files, particularly those that handle user-uploaded content or process images from untrusted sources. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enabling remote code execution, making it a severe threat to system integrity. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in web applications, content management systems, and file processing services that utilize GraphicsMagick or ImageMagick for image handling, as these environments frequently process images from unknown or untrusted sources. The attack requires minimal user interaction, as simply opening or processing the malicious image file can trigger the exploitation sequence.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0770 require immediate patching of affected systems with updated versions of GraphicsMagick or ImageMagick that properly address the buffer overflow in the ReadPALMImage function. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures for all image file processing, including strict validation of file headers and dimensions before any processing occurs. The principle of least privilege should be enforced when running image processing applications, limiting the potential impact of successful exploitation. Network segmentation and file type restrictions can further reduce the attack surface by preventing untrusted image files from reaching vulnerable processing systems. Additionally, implementing proper memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention can help mitigate exploitation attempts even if the underlying vulnerability remains unpatched. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation through buffer overflow attacks, and demonstrates the importance of thorough vulnerability management and patching processes in maintaining secure system configurations.