CVE-2010-2630 in LibTIFF
Summary
by MITRE
The TIFFReadDirectory function in LibTIFF 3.9.0 does not properly validate the data types of codec-specific tags that have an out-of-order position in a TIFF file, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted file, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-2481.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2630 affects the LibTIFF library version 3.9.0 and specifically targets the TIFFReadDirectory function. This flaw represents a classic case of improper input validation where the library fails to adequately verify the data types of codec-specific tags that appear in non-standard positions within TIFF file structures. The issue stems from the library's inability to properly handle out-of-order tag placements, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted TIFF files can trigger unexpected behavior in applications that rely on LibTIFF for image processing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the TIFFReadDirectory function encounters codec-specific tags that have been positioned incorrectly within the TIFF file's directory structure. These tags typically contain metadata or compression information that the library expects to find in specific locations and with particular data formats. When such tags appear in unexpected positions or contain invalid data types, the parsing logic fails to validate these elements properly, leading to memory corruption or undefined behavior that ultimately results in application crashes.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant denial of service risk for systems processing TIFF images. Attackers can craft malicious TIFF files that, when opened by applications using LibTIFF, will cause the target application to terminate unexpectedly. This represents a critical weakness in the library's error handling mechanisms, as the lack of proper validation allows malformed data to propagate through the parsing pipeline. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because TIFF files are widely used in professional imaging, document management, and digital asset systems, making numerous applications susceptible to this type of attack.
The impact of CVE-2010-2630 aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities, and relates to the broader category of input validation flaws that can lead to application instability. This vulnerability also connects to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers "Exploitation for Client Execution" through the use of file format vulnerabilities to cause application crashes. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor parsing inconsistencies can be exploited to create widespread service disruption across systems that depend on standard image processing libraries.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to LibTIFF versions that address this vulnerability, typically those released after 2010, and implementing proper file validation mechanisms in applications that process TIFF content. Network-based defenses can include content filtering to prevent suspicious TIFF files from reaching end-user systems, while application-level protections should enforce strict input validation and error handling procedures. Additionally, regular security assessments of image processing pipelines and comprehensive testing of file parsing logic can help identify similar vulnerabilities in other components of the digital imaging infrastructure.