CVE-2010-4665 in LibTIFF
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the ReadDirectory function in tiffdump.c in tiffdump in LibTIFF before 3.9.5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted TIFF file containing a directory data structure with many directory entries.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/05/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2010-4665 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the LibTIFF library's tiffdump utility, specifically affecting the ReadDirectory function in tiffdump.c. This issue exists in LibTIFF versions prior to 3.9.5 and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to severe system instability. The vulnerability manifests when processing TIFF files containing directory structures with an excessive number of directory entries, creating conditions where integer arithmetic operations exceed their maximum representable values. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in software design that can result in unpredictable behavior and security consequences. The flaw operates at the boundary between valid and invalid data processing, where legitimate file parsing transitions into exploitable conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the way tiffdump handles directory entry counts within TIFF file structures. When a crafted TIFF file contains a directory with an excessive number of entries, the ReadDirectory function performs arithmetic operations on these counts without proper bounds checking. As integer overflow occurs, the application's memory management becomes compromised, leading to memory corruption that ultimately results in application crash or potential code execution. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only a specially crafted TIFF file to trigger the vulnerability, making it accessible to remote attackers who can deliver malicious files through various means such as email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. This represents a classic example of a buffer overflow scenario where the integer overflow directly impacts memory allocation decisions and subsequent memory access patterns. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 by enabling an attacker to cause system instability through manipulation of input data.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4665 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution and system compromise. Applications that utilize LibTIFF for image processing, including web servers, image viewers, and document management systems, become vulnerable to this attack when they process untrusted TIFF files. The vulnerability affects systems where tiffdump is used for file analysis or validation, making it particularly dangerous in environments where automated processing of user-uploaded content occurs. Security professionals must consider that this vulnerability can be leveraged in a broader attack chain, potentially serving as a precursor to more sophisticated exploits. The integer overflow creates a predictable pattern of memory corruption that can be exploited by attackers to manipulate program flow, especially when combined with other vulnerabilities or when the affected system has additional memory management weaknesses. Organizations using affected versions of LibTIFF should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, file format restrictions, and application sandboxing to prevent exploitation. The remediation process requires updating to LibTIFF version 3.9.5 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and integer overflow protection mechanisms. Additionally, system administrators should implement monitoring for suspicious file processing activities and consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify attempts to exploit this vulnerability through crafted TIFF files.