CVE-2007-2741 in lcms
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Little CMS (lcms) before 1.15 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted ICC profile in a JPG file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2741 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the Little CMS library version 1.14 and earlier, which is widely used for color management in image processing applications. This flaw exists in the handling of ICC (International Color Consortium) color profiles embedded within JPEG files, creating a remote code execution vector that can be exploited by malicious actors. The Little CMS library serves as a core component in numerous image processing applications including Adobe Photoshop, GIMP, and various web browsers, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it affects a fundamental color management system used across multiple platforms and software ecosystems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the ICC profile parsing routine of Little CMS. When a JPEG file containing a specially crafted ICC profile is processed, the library fails to properly validate the size and structure of the profile data before attempting to copy it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs because the application allocates a stack buffer of predetermined size and then copies unvalidated input data from the ICC profile without ensuring the source data fits within the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw specifically manifests in the color profile parsing functions where the library assumes that the profile data adheres to expected formats and sizes, creating a predictable overflow condition that can be systematically exploited.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-2741 extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass full remote code execution capabilities, making it a severe threat to system security. An attacker can craft a malicious JPEG file with an oversized or malformed ICC profile that, when opened by vulnerable applications, triggers the buffer overflow and allows arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected process. This vulnerability affects not only individual user systems but also server environments where image processing is automated, potentially enabling attackers to gain persistent access to critical infrastructure. The denial of service aspect of this vulnerability can also be leveraged to create persistent availability issues, as applications may crash repeatedly when processing the malicious files, leading to service disruption and potential business impact.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected Little CMS installations, with the recommended solution being the upgrade to version 1.15 or later where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper bounds checking and input validation. System administrators should implement comprehensive application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted image files, particularly in environments handling sensitive data or public-facing applications. Network-based mitigations include implementing content filtering solutions that can detect and block JPEG files with suspicious ICC profile structures, though this approach may introduce false positives and requires careful tuning. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of Little CMS, including embedded systems and legacy applications that may not receive regular updates. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on compromised systems. Additionally, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in image processing libraries, as highlighted in various security standards including those from the Open Web Application Security Project and NIST guidelines for secure coding practices.