CVE-2008-5262 in Developers Image Library
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the iGetHdrHeader function in src-IL/src/il_hdr.c in DevIL 1.7.4 allow context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Radiance RGBE file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5262 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the DevIL image library version 1.7.4. This issue specifically affects the iGetHdrHeader function located in the src-IL/src/il_hdr.c source file, where improper input validation leads to memory corruption during the processing of Radiance RGBE image files. The flaw occurs when the library attempts to parse malformed header data from these specialized high dynamic range image files, creating conditions where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is a fundamental memory safety issue that has been consistently identified as one of the most prevalent and dangerous classes of software vulnerabilities in the industry.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious Radiance RGBE file that triggers the buffer overflow condition within the iGetHdrHeader function. When the DevIL library processes such a file, the malformed header data causes the function to write beyond the bounds of a statically allocated buffer on the stack, potentially overwriting return addresses, function pointers, or other critical stack data. This type of vulnerability falls squarely within the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1548.001 for Abuse of Functionality, as it enables arbitrary code execution through the manipulation of program control flow. The context-dependent nature of this vulnerability means that the attack requires specific conditions to be met, typically involving the application using DevIL to process untrusted image files without proper input sanitization.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5262 extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a significant threat to applications that rely on DevIL for image processing functionality. Systems using this library for handling user-uploaded images, web applications processing image content, or any software that accepts Radiance RGBE files as input become vulnerable to remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability affects numerous applications across different platforms including web browsers, image viewers, and content management systems that utilize DevIL for image format support. This flaw demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia libraries, as image processing libraries often handle untrusted data from external sources. The vulnerability's classification as a stack-based buffer overflow makes it particularly dangerous because the overwrite of stack memory can lead to complete system compromise through return-oriented programming techniques or direct control flow hijacking.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5262 require immediate action to address the underlying memory safety issue within the DevIL library. The primary remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of DevIL that contains proper bounds checking and input validation for the iGetHdrHeader function, as the original vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent releases. Organizations should implement input sanitization measures that validate image file headers before processing, including length checks and format validation for Radiance RGBE files. Network-based mitigations such as content filtering and sandboxing techniques can provide additional protection layers, while application-level defenses should include stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and non-executable stack protections. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of comprehensive software security testing, particularly for libraries that process multimedia content, and emphasizes the importance of adhering to secure coding practices that prevent buffer overflow conditions through proper memory management and input validation controls.