CVE-2007-3472 in GD Graphics Library
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in gdImageCreateTrueColor function in the GD Graphics Library (libgd) before 2.0.35 allows user-assisted remote attackers to have unspecified attack vectors and impact.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3472 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the GD Graphics Library's gdImageCreateTrueColor function, affecting versions prior to 2.0.35. This issue resides in the core image processing capabilities of the library, which is widely used across numerous web applications, content management systems, and server-side image manipulation tools. The integer overflow occurs when the function processes user-supplied dimensions for creating true color images, specifically when handling large width and height parameters that exceed the maximum value representable by a signed integer. This flaw allows attackers to manipulate the memory allocation process by providing carefully crafted image dimensions that cause the integer to wrap around to a small positive value or zero, thereby corrupting memory structures and potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and overflow checking within the memory allocation routines of the GD library. When a user provides image dimensions that, when multiplied together to calculate the required memory, exceed the maximum value of a 32-bit signed integer, the arithmetic operation results in an integer overflow. This overflow typically manifests as a negative or zero value being passed to memory allocation functions, which can cause malloc to either fail or allocate insufficient memory for the intended image processing operations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely through web applications that utilize libgd for image processing, such as photo gallery systems, content management platforms, and any application that accepts user-uploaded images. The unspecified attack vectors and impacts reflect the potential for various exploitation techniques including buffer overflows, memory corruption, and privilege escalation depending on the specific execution context and target system architecture.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-3472 extends far beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can potentially enable remote code execution in vulnerable environments. The flaw affects a fundamental component of many web applications and server-side processing systems, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise web servers or application environments. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The widespread adoption of the GD library across numerous platforms and applications amplifies the potential impact, as a single vulnerable component can affect hundreds of thousands of systems. The vulnerability also aligns with attack patterns described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for command and script injection, and the T1203 technique for exploitation of remote services, as it enables attackers to manipulate application behavior through crafted input parameters. Organizations running vulnerable versions of libgd are particularly at risk in environments where user-uploaded content is processed without proper sanitization, as this creates direct attack vectors through web interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3472 primarily focus on immediate version updates and input validation measures. System administrators should prioritize upgrading to libgd version 2.0.35 or later, which includes proper integer overflow checks and bounds validation in the affected functions. Additionally, organizations should implement strict input validation at application layers that utilize libgd, ensuring that image dimensions are validated against reasonable limits before being passed to the library functions. This approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and input sanitization practices recommended in the CWE catalog under CWE-190, which addresses integer overflow and underflow conditions. Network-level mitigations such as web application firewalls and content filtering can provide additional protection by blocking suspicious image upload requests, though these should not be considered primary defenses. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify other potentially vulnerable components within the application stack that might be affected by similar integer overflow conditions. The remediation process should also include monitoring for exploitation attempts through log analysis and implementing proper error handling to prevent information disclosure that could aid further exploitation attempts.