CVE-2010-4541 in GIMP
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the loadit function in plug-ins/common/sphere-designer.c in the SPHERE DESIGNER plugin in GIMP 2.6.11 allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a long "Number of lights" field in a plugin configuration file. NOTE: it may be uncommon to obtain a GIMP plugin configuration file from an untrusted source that is separate from the distribution of the plugin itself.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/11/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4541 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the SPHERE DESIGNER plugin of GIMP version 2.6.11. This flaw exists in the loadit function located in plug-ins/common/sphere-designer.c, where improper input validation allows malicious data to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. The vulnerability specifically targets the "Number of lights" field within plugin configuration files, which serves as the attack vector for exploitation. The buffer overflow occurs when the application processes a configuration file containing an excessively long value for this parameter, causing the program to write beyond the allocated memory bounds and potentially corrupt the program execution flow.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues that can lead to arbitrary code execution or denial of service conditions. The attack requires a user-assisted remote scenario where an attacker can influence the contents of a plugin configuration file, though the practical exploitation scenario is somewhat limited since configuration files are typically obtained through legitimate plugin distribution channels rather than from untrusted sources.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems running GIMP 2.6.11 with the SPHERE DESIGNER plugin installed. The potential consequences include application crashes that result in denial of service, effectively preventing users from utilizing the image editing software for their intended purposes. More critically, the buffer overflow could potentially be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running GIMP, making it a serious security concern for environments where users might encounter maliciously crafted configuration files. The vulnerability's exploitability is somewhat constrained by the requirement for a user-assisted scenario, but it remains a legitimate threat in contexts where plugin configurations might be received from untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-4541 should focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by the GIMP development team. Users should upgrade to GIMP versions that contain fixes for this vulnerability, as the original 2.6.11 release is no longer supported and lacks the necessary security protections. Additionally, administrators should implement strict controls over plugin installation and configuration file management, ensuring that only trusted sources can provide configuration data to GIMP applications. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of input validation and bounds checking in plugin architectures, suggesting that developers should adopt defensive programming practices to prevent similar issues in other software components. Network segmentation and access controls can further reduce the attack surface by limiting the exposure of GIMP installations to untrusted configuration sources. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized plugin components and maintain regular security assessments of their image editing software environments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities.