CVE-2008-0544 in Sdl Image
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the IMG_LoadLBM_RW function in IMG_lbm.c in SDL_image before 1.2.7 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted IFF ILBM file. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/04/2019
The CVE-2008-0544 vulnerability represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting the SDL_image library version 1.2.6 and earlier. This flaw exists within the IMG_LoadLBM_RW function located in the IMG_lbm.c source file, which processes IFF ILBM image format files. The vulnerability manifests when the library attempts to parse malformed IFF ILBM files, creating a dangerous condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory regions in the heap. The flaw stems from inadequate bounds checking during the parsing of the ILBM file structure, particularly in how the library handles the chunk size fields that define the dimensions and data boundaries of the image data. This vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a memory safety issue that allows attackers to corrupt heap memory and potentially execute arbitrary code. The attack vector is remote, meaning an attacker can trigger the vulnerability by delivering a malicious IFF ILBM file to a system running an affected version of SDL_image, typically through web downloads, email attachments, or file sharing platforms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous for applications that process untrusted image data. When a vulnerable application attempts to load the crafted IFF ILBM file, the buffer overflow can corrupt the heap metadata, leading to application crashes, memory corruption, or in some cases, arbitrary code execution within the context of the vulnerable application. The vulnerability affects any software that relies on SDL_image for image processing, including games, multimedia applications, and content management systems that handle user-uploaded images. The memory corruption can manifest in various ways including stack smashing, heap corruption, or pointer overwrites that may allow attackers to manipulate program execution flow. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, where an attacker leverages a software vulnerability to execute code on a victim's system. The vulnerability also aligns with T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation may enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands through the compromised application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0544 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to SDL_image 1.2.7 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected applications that utilize SDL_image, particularly those handling untrusted image data from external sources. Additionally, implementing input validation and sanitization measures can provide defense-in-depth protection by filtering out malformed IFF ILBM files before they reach the vulnerable parsing functions. Network-based mitigations such as content filtering and web application firewalls can help prevent the delivery of malicious ILBM files to vulnerable systems. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual application crashes or memory allocation patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of known vulnerable versions of SDL_image, and establish regular vulnerability scanning procedures to identify and remediate similar issues in their software supply chain. The fix implemented in SDL_image 1.2.7 typically involves adding proper bounds checking and input validation to ensure that chunk sizes and data lengths are properly verified before memory allocation occurs, preventing the overflow condition from being exploited.