CVE-2008-3521 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
Race condition in the jas_stream_tmpfile function in libjasper/base/jas_stream.c in JasPer 1.900.1 allows local users to cause a denial of service (program exit) by creating the appropriate tmp.XXXXXXXXXX temporary file, which causes Jasper to exit. NOTE: this was originally reported as a symlink issue, but this was incorrect. NOTE: some vendors dispute the severity of this issue, but it satisfies CVE s requirements for inclusion.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-3521 represents a race condition flaw within the JasPer library version 1.900.1, specifically within the jas_stream_tmpfile function located in libjasper/base/jas_stream.c. This issue manifests as a local denial of service condition that can be exploited by attackers who strategically create specific temporary files named tmp.XX..., which ultimately causes the Jasper application to terminate unexpectedly. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of temporary file creation and management processes, creating a window where malicious actors can manipulate the system state to trigger program termination.
The technical implementation of this race condition occurs during the temporary file creation process where the jas_stream_tmpfile function does not adequately validate or secure the temporary file generation sequence. When an attacker creates a carefully crafted tmp.XX... file in the target directory, the function's handling of this temporary file causes the program to exit rather than gracefully handle the conflict. This behavior violates standard security principles for temporary file management and demonstrates a failure in proper resource allocation and cleanup procedures. The vulnerability operates at the system call level where file creation and access permissions are not properly synchronized, creating an exploitable condition that can be reliably reproduced.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can be leveraged by local attackers to disrupt services that depend on JasPer for image processing operations. Applications using this library may experience unexpected termination when processing certain image files, leading to service unavailability and potential data processing interruptions. The vulnerability affects systems where JasPer is integrated into image processing pipelines, web applications, or any software that handles image file operations, making it particularly concerning for server environments and applications that process user-uploaded content. Organizations deploying software that utilizes JasPer 1.900.1 are at risk of experiencing service disruptions that could impact business operations and user experience.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on updating to patched versions of JasPer where the race condition has been properly addressed through improved temporary file handling mechanisms. System administrators should implement proper file permission controls and consider using more secure temporary file creation methods that avoid race conditions. The fix typically involves implementing proper synchronization mechanisms and ensuring that temporary file creation operations are atomic and secure from manipulation by unauthorized users. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual temporary file creation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-367, which addresses Time-of-Check to Time-of-Use (TOCTOU) race conditions, and represents a classic example of improper resource management that can be addressed through proper defensive programming practices and adherence to secure coding standards.