CVE-2010-2443 in LibTIFF
Summary
by MITRE
The OJPEGReadBufferFill function in tif_ojpeg.c in LibTIFF before 3.9.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and application crash) via an OJPEG image with undefined strip offsets, related to the TIFFVGetField function.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2443 resides within the LibTIFF library's OJPEGReadBufferFill function in the tif_ojpeg.c file, affecting versions prior to 3.9.3. This issue represents a critical denial of service weakness that can be exploited by remote attackers to crash applications relying on LibTIFF for image processing. The flaw specifically manifests when handling OJPEG (Old JPEG) format images that contain undefined strip offsets, creating a scenario where the application encounters a NULL pointer dereference during normal operation. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and error handling within the TIFFVGetField function, which is responsible for retrieving field values from TIFF image files. When an attacker crafts a malicious OJPEG image with malformed strip offset data, the library fails to properly validate these offsets before attempting to access them, leading to a crash condition that terminates the target application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic NULL pointer dereference pattern that aligns with CWE-476, which identifies NULL pointer dereference as a common weakness in software systems. The flaw occurs during the image parsing phase when the OJPEGReadBufferFill function attempts to process strip offsets that have not been properly initialized or defined within the OJPEG image structure. This particular weakness exposes applications using LibTIFF to remote exploitation since attackers can simply provide a malicious image file without requiring any special privileges or local access. The vulnerability affects the fundamental image processing capabilities of any application that utilizes LibTIFF for handling TIFF and OJPEG formatted images, including graphic design software, document management systems, and web applications that process image uploads. The impact extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially disrupt services where image processing is critical to system functionality.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations that process user-uploaded images or rely on automated image handling systems. The remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the denial of service condition from any network location without requiring physical access to the target system. Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework under the T1499.004 technique for Network Denial of Service, as it enables attackers to disrupt services through targeted application crashes. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical skill, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged by threat actors with limited expertise in advanced exploitation techniques. Organizations running applications that utilize LibTIFF for image processing should immediately assess their exposure to this vulnerability, as the crash condition can be used to deny service to legitimate users while potentially creating opportunities for more sophisticated attacks.
The recommended mitigations for CVE-2010-2443 primarily involve upgrading to LibTIFF version 3.9.3 or later, which includes patches addressing the NULL pointer dereference issue in the OJPEGReadBufferFill function. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures can help reduce the risk of exploitation even in older versions of the library. Organizations should also consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious image file transfers, particularly those containing OJPEG format data. The fix implemented in version 3.9.3 specifically addresses the improper handling of undefined strip offsets by ensuring that the TIFFVGetField function properly validates input data before attempting to access memory locations. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual application crash patterns or service disruptions that may indicate exploitation attempts, while application developers should ensure that their error handling mechanisms properly account for potential NULL pointer scenarios in image processing code paths.