CVE-2009-2369 in wxWidgets
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the wxImage::Create function in src/common/image.cpp in wxWidgets 2.8.10 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted JPEG file, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/06/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-2369 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the wxWidgets 2.8.10 library, specifically affecting the wxImage::Create function implementation in src/common/image.cpp. This issue arises from inadequate input validation when processing JPEG image files, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted image data can trigger unpredictable behavior in applications that utilize the wxWidgets framework for graphical operations. The vulnerability falls under the category of software security flaws that can lead to system instability and potential code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a heap-based buffer overflow condition that manifests when the wxImage::Create function attempts to allocate memory for image data processing. When a specially crafted JPEG file is processed, the integer overflow causes the application to allocate insufficient memory for the image buffer, leading to memory corruption that can result in application crashes or more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through legitimate image processing operations that many applications perform routinely, making it difficult to detect and prevent.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution in affected systems. Applications built using wxWidgets 2.8.10 that process untrusted JPEG files become vulnerable to exploitation, creating risks for web applications, image processing software, and any system that accepts user-uploaded images. The vulnerability's potential for arbitrary code execution places it in the ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique category for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation could allow adversaries to execute malicious code on target systems. Additionally, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to buffer overflows and memory corruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2369 primarily focus on immediate remediation through version updates to wxWidgets 2.8.11 or later, which contain patches addressing the integer overflow in the image processing functions. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems and applications utilizing vulnerable wxWidgets versions, particularly those handling user-uploaded content or processing external image files. Implementing input validation and sanitization measures can provide additional defense-in-depth layers, though these are secondary to the primary remediation of updating the affected library versions. Security teams should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can detect attempts to exploit this vulnerability through malformed JPEG file uploads, as the attack vectors typically involve web-based file uploads or image processing operations that can be monitored and restricted.