CVE-2011-2897 in gdk-pixbuf
Summary
by MITRE
gdk-pixbuf through 2.31.1 has GIF loader buffer overflow when initializing decompression tables due to an input validation flaw
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2897 affects the gdk-pixbuf library version 2.31.1 and earlier, specifically within its GIF loader component. This issue represents a critical buffer overflow condition that occurs during the initialization of decompression tables when processing GIF image files. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or verify the structure of GIF data before attempting decompression operations. When a malformed GIF file is processed, the library's GIF loader attempts to allocate memory buffers based on potentially malicious or malformed input parameters, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by attackers.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the GIF loader's handling of the LZW (Lempel-Ziv-Welch) decompression algorithm, which is fundamental to GIF image format processing. During the initialization phase of LZW decompression, the library reads and interprets the GIF file's image data to construct decompression tables. The flaw occurs when the input validation logic fails to properly validate the size parameters or the structure of the LZW data stream, allowing attackers to craft specially formatted GIF files that cause the decompression tables to be initialized with oversized or malformed parameters. This results in memory writes that exceed the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or application crashes.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant security risks to applications that utilize gdk-pixbuf for image processing, particularly those that handle untrusted image data from web sources or user uploads. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including web browsers, image viewers, email clients, and content management systems that rely on gdk-pixbuf for image rendering. The buffer overflow condition creates an ideal environment for privilege escalation attacks, as successful exploitation can allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it affects a widely-used graphics library that serves as a foundational component for numerous desktop and web applications across multiple operating systems and platforms.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of inadequate input validation leading to memory corruption. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the buffer overflow to execute malicious code within the context of the affected application. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it requires no special privileges to trigger, making it particularly dangerous in scenarios where users can upload or view untrusted image content. Organizations using applications built on gdk-pixbuf should prioritize patching and updating to versions that address this vulnerability, as the impact extends beyond simple denial of service to potential remote code execution scenarios.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of affected gdk-pixbuf versions to 2.31.2 or later, where the input validation has been strengthened to properly handle malformed GIF data. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict input validation for image file processing, deploying sandboxing mechanisms for image rendering operations, and establishing content filtering policies that restrict the types of image files accepted by applications. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can also provide additional layers of protection by monitoring for suspicious image file patterns. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify any applications that may be indirectly affected by this vulnerability through their dependencies on gdk-pixbuf. System administrators should also consider implementing automated patch management solutions to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected systems.