CVE-2007-2956 in pfstools
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the readRadianceHeader function in (1) src/fileformat/rgbeio.cpp in pfstools 1.6.2 and (2) src/Fileformat/rgbeio.cpp in Qtpfsgui 1.8.11 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Radiance RGBE (.hdr) file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2956 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting pfstools version 1.6.2 and Qtpfsgui version 1.8.11. This security issue resides within the readRadianceHeader function that processes Radiance RGBE (.hdr) image files, which are commonly used in high dynamic range imaging applications. The flaw enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code by crafting malicious .hdr files that trigger the buffer overflow during file parsing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the readRadianceHeader function in the rgbeio.cpp source files. When processing specially crafted Radiance RGBE files, the function fails to properly bounds-check array accesses, leading to a classic stack buffer overflow condition. This occurs because the code does not validate the length of data read from the header section of .hdr files before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. The vulnerability manifests when attackers supply malformed header data that exceeds the allocated buffer space, causing adjacent memory to be overwritten and potentially allowing code execution control flow manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it affects applications that handle high dynamic range imaging files. pfstools and Qtpfsgui are widely used in professional photography, computer graphics, and scientific visualization environments where users frequently process image files from various sources. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability through social engineering campaigns targeting users who might unknowingly open malicious .hdr files, or through automated systems that process user-uploaded content. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to target systems, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2956 should focus on immediate patching of affected software versions, as both pfstools 1.6.2 and Qtpfsgui 1.8.11 have been superseded by newer releases that address this specific buffer overflow issue. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures for any .hdr files processed by these applications, including signature verification and content scanning before file parsing. Network-based defenses such as intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for suspicious .hdr file transfers, while application-level sandboxing can provide additional protection layers. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow classification and represents a typical attack vector categorized under ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in image processing libraries.
The broader implications of this vulnerability demonstrate the critical importance of proper memory management in image processing applications, particularly those handling binary formats with complex header structures. Security practitioners should recognize that image file parsers often represent high-value attack surfaces due to their complex parsing logic and the trust placed in image data by end users. This vulnerability serves as a reminder that even specialized scientific and graphics applications require robust input validation and memory safety measures to prevent exploitation through crafted binary file formats.