CVE-2007-2721 in JPEG-2000
Summary
by MITRE
The jpc_qcx_getcompparms function in jpc/jpc_cs.c for the JasPer JPEG-2000 library (libjasper) before 1.900 allows remote user-assisted attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly corrupt the heap via malformed image files, as originally demonstrated using imagemagick convert.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2721 affects the JasPer JPEG-2000 library version 1.900 and earlier, specifically targeting the jpc_qcx_getcompparms function within the jpc/jpc_cs.c source file. This flaw represents a critical security issue that enables remote attackers to induce system instability through carefully crafted malformed image files. The vulnerability was initially demonstrated using ImageMagick's convert utility, highlighting its practical exploitation potential in real-world scenarios involving image processing workflows. The JasPer library serves as a fundamental component in numerous applications and systems that handle JPEG-2000 encoded images, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for widespread impact.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the jpc_qcx_getcompparms function, which processes component parameters in JPEG-2000 compressed image data. When malformed image files are processed, the function fails to properly validate or sanitize the incoming data structure, leading to unpredictable behavior during memory operations. This deficiency creates opportunities for heap corruption and subsequent system crashes, as the application attempts to allocate or manipulate memory regions based on invalid parameter values. The vulnerability manifests as a buffer over-read or improper memory access pattern that can be triggered by manipulating specific bits within the JPEG-2000 file header structures, particularly those related to component specifications and compression parameters.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2721 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to crash applications that utilize the JasPer library, effectively causing service disruption for legitimate users. The heap corruption aspect introduces additional risks where successful exploitation might allow attackers to manipulate memory contents, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution in vulnerable environments. Systems that process untrusted image files, such as web applications, content management systems, or image processing servers, become particularly vulnerable to this attack vector, as they may automatically process user-uploaded JPEG-2000 images without proper validation. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to memory safety issues in image processing libraries.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate software updates and patching of affected JasPer library versions. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to JasPer 1.900 or later versions where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation mechanisms and memory boundary checks. Additionally, implementing proper image file validation and sanitization processes at application level can provide defense-in-depth measures, particularly for systems that cannot immediately upgrade their underlying libraries. Network-based mitigations such as content filtering and image validation proxies can help reduce exposure by preventing malformed image files from reaching vulnerable applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1203 technique for "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and T1499 for "Endpoint Denial of Service," highlighting its potential for both service disruption and more advanced exploitation scenarios when combined with other attack vectors. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual application crashes or memory access patterns when processing image files, particularly in environments where user-uploaded content is processed automatically.