CVE-2010-2598 in Red Hat
Summary
by MITRE
LibTIFF in Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 3 on x86_64 platforms, as used in tiff2rgba, attempts to process image data even when the required compression functionality is not configured, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via a crafted TIFF image, related to "downsampled OJPEG input."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/20/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-2598 represents a classic denial of service flaw within the LibTIFF library implementation on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 3 systems. This issue specifically affects the tiff2rgba utility which is part of the broader TIFF image processing framework. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the library's compression handling subsystem, creating a scenario where malformed image data can trigger unexpected behavior in the processing pipeline.
The technical root cause involves the library's failure to properly validate compression method availability before attempting to process image data. When the tiff2rgba utility encounters a TIFF file with downsampled OJPEG input, it attempts to execute compression routines that may not be compiled into the system's LibTIFF implementation. This mismatch between expected and available functionality creates a condition where the application attempts to access memory locations or execute code paths that are not properly initialized or configured, leading to system instability and potential application crashes.
This vulnerability operates at the intersection of multiple security domains and can be categorized under CWE-476 which describes NULL Pointer Dereference, and also relates to CWE-122 which covers Heap-based Buffer Overflow conditions. The operational impact extends beyond simple service disruption as it represents a potential vector for attackers to systematically degrade system availability through carefully crafted TIFF files. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where automated image processing or file validation systems are in place, as it could enable attackers to create cascading failures across multiple applications that depend on LibTIFF for image handling.
The attack scenario involves remote exploitation through crafted TIFF image files that contain malformed downsampled OJPEG data. When such files are processed by the vulnerable tiff2rgba utility, the system experiences denial of service conditions that can manifest as application crashes, infinite loops, or memory exhaustion. This vulnerability affects systems running RHEL 3 on x86_64 architectures where the LibTIFF library was compiled without proper compression support for the specific image formats being processed. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, as attackers can leverage this weakness to compromise system availability without requiring elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the affected LibTIFF library versions, ensuring that all compression functionality is properly compiled and configured according to system requirements. System administrators should implement input validation measures that filter or reject TIFF files with suspicious compression headers before they reach the processing pipeline. Additionally, deployment of intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malicious TIFF file patterns and implementing network segmentation can help limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining proper software configuration and the necessity of regularly updating system libraries to address known security weaknesses that could lead to service disruption.