CVE-2009-1882 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the XMakeImage function in magick/xwindow.c in ImageMagick 6.5.2-8, and GraphicsMagick, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted TIFF file, which triggers a buffer overflow. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1882 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the ImageMagick library's XMakeImage function located in magick/xwindow.c. This vulnerability affects ImageMagick version 6.5.2-8 and GraphicsMagick, creating a dangerous condition where maliciously crafted TIFF files can trigger buffer overflow conditions. The flaw stems from improper handling of integer values during image processing operations, specifically when dealing with image dimensions and memory allocation calculations. When the XMakeImage function processes malformed TIFF metadata, it fails to properly validate integer inputs, leading to arithmetic overflow conditions that can result in memory corruption.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs when a remote attacker crafts a specially designed TIFF file containing malicious dimension values that, when processed by ImageMagick, cause integer overflow during buffer allocation calculations. This overflow results in insufficient memory allocation for the intended buffer size, creating a scenario where subsequent memory operations write beyond allocated boundaries. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of integer arithmetic handling and memory management, where the overflow condition manifests as a classic buffer overflow that can be exploited to crash the application or potentially execute arbitrary code. According to CWE standards, this maps to CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which specifically addresses issues where integer arithmetic results in values that exceed the maximum representable value for the data type.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enabling remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous in environments where ImageMagick processes untrusted image files. Systems that utilize ImageMagick for web image processing, automated image analysis, or content management workflows become vulnerable to exploitation when processing malicious TIFF files. The vulnerability can be triggered through various attack vectors including web applications that accept image uploads, email systems processing image attachments, or any system that automatically processes image files without proper validation. The crash conditions can be reliably reproduced, making this vulnerability suitable for both denial of service attacks and potential privilege escalation scenarios, depending on the execution environment.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1882 require immediate patching of affected ImageMagick and GraphicsMagick installations to the latest versions that contain proper integer overflow protections. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation for all image file processing operations, including strict validation of image dimensions and metadata before processing. Network-level defenses should include image file type validation and content filtering to prevent malicious TIFF files from reaching processing systems. Additionally, implementing sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation during image processing can limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability would be categorized under T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, and T1499, Endpoint Termination, as it enables both remote code execution and system termination through crash conditions. System administrators should also consider implementing automated monitoring for unusual processing patterns or crash events that may indicate exploitation attempts.