CVE-2009-0583 in Ghostscript
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in icc.c in the International Color Consortium (ICC) Format library (aka icclib), as used in Ghostscript 8.64 and earlier and Argyll Color Management System (CMS) 1.0.3 and earlier, allow context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer overflow and application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code by using a device file for a translation request that operates on a crafted image file and targets a certain "native color space," related to an ICC profile in a (1) PostScript or (2) PDF file with embedded images.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-0583 represents a critical security flaw within the International Color Consortium format library implementation, specifically affecting icc.c in the icclib library. This issue impacts widely used color management systems including Ghostscript 8.64 and earlier versions, as well as Argyll Color Management System 1.0.3 and earlier. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer values during color space processing operations, creating conditions where maliciously crafted ICC profile data can trigger exploitable memory corruption. The flaw manifests when processing PostScript or PDF files containing embedded images with specific color space configurations, particularly those targeting certain "native color spaces" through device files for translation requests.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves integer overflow conditions that occur during the parsing and processing of ICC profile data structures. When the icclib library encounters a crafted image file with specific color space parameters, the integer overflow results in heap-based buffer overflows that can corrupt adjacent memory regions. This memory corruption directly impacts the application's ability to maintain stable operation, leading to denial of service conditions through application crashes or, in more severe cases, arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is context-dependent, requiring specific combinations of input data and processing conditions to be exploited successfully, making it particularly challenging to detect and prevent through automated means.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability affects systems that process color-managed documents and images, including graphic design workstations, print servers, and document management systems that rely on ICC color profile handling. The potential for remote code execution makes this particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted PDF or PostScript documents, such as email attachments or web-based document viewers. The vulnerability's exploitation requires attackers to craft specific malicious files targeting the color management pipeline, which aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of "Exploitation for Privilege Escalation" and "Command and Control" activities. The integer overflow conditions fall under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow vulnerabilities, and can be classified as a heap-based buffer overflow under CWE-121.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems to update to versions of Ghostscript and Argyll CMS that contain fixes for the integer overflow conditions in icc.c. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures for incoming documents, particularly those containing embedded color profiles, and consider deploying sandboxed environments for processing untrusted documents. Network-based defenses can include filtering of PDF and PostScript file types at perimeter devices and implementing content inspection systems that can detect malformed color profile data. System administrators should also monitor for unusual application behavior or crash patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to identify potential attacks targeting this specific vulnerability class. The fix typically involves proper integer overflow checking and bounds validation during ICC profile processing operations, ensuring that calculated buffer sizes remain within safe operational limits.