CVE-2009-0723 in GIMP
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in LittleCMS (aka lcms or liblcms) before 1.18beta2, as used in Firefox 3.1beta, OpenJDK, and GIMP, allow context-dependent attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted image file that triggers a heap-based buffer overflow. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0723 represents a critical security flaw in LittleCMS, a widely-used color management library that serves as a core component in numerous software applications including Firefox, OpenJDK, and GIMP. This vulnerability stems from multiple integer overflows within the library's handling of image files, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.18beta2. The flaw manifests when the library processes specially crafted image files that contain maliciously constructed data, creating a scenario where integer arithmetic operations exceed their maximum representable values, leading to unexpected behavior in memory allocation and data handling.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of integer overflow conditions that occur during the parsing of color profile information within image files. When LittleCMS attempts to calculate memory requirements for processing color transformation data, integer overflows cause the library to allocate insufficient memory buffers or compute incorrect memory addresses. This misbehavior results in heap-based buffer overflows where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially allowing for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability's context-dependent nature means that successful exploitation requires specific conditions related to the image file format and the particular way LittleCMS processes the corrupted data structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple software ecosystems that rely on LittleCMS for color management functionality. In the Firefox browser environment, this flaw could enable remote code execution when users open maliciously crafted image files, potentially leading to complete system compromise. Similarly, OpenJDK's reliance on LittleCMS for image processing creates similar attack vectors for Java applications, while GIMP's image editing capabilities become vulnerable to the same exploitation techniques. The widespread adoption of LittleCMS across these platforms amplifies the potential attack surface and the overall security risk associated with this vulnerability.
Security researchers have classified this vulnerability according to CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through image processing. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign file processing operations can become attack vectors when integer overflows are not properly handled. Organizations using affected software versions face significant risks including data breaches, system compromise, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The remediation strategy involves immediate upgrade to LittleCMS version 1.18beta2 or later, along with implementing proper input validation and memory safety checks in applications that interface with the library. Additionally, security administrators should consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and establish robust patch management procedures to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected systems.
The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of proper integer handling in security-critical libraries and demonstrates how memory safety issues in foundational components can have cascading effects across entire software ecosystems. Organizations must maintain vigilant monitoring of third-party library security updates and implement comprehensive security testing procedures to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited by malicious actors.