CVE-2011-3045 in libpng
Summary
by MITRE
Integer signedness error in the png_inflate function in pngrutil.c in libpng before 1.4.10beta01, as used in Google Chrome before 17.0.963.83 and other products, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted PNG file, a different vulnerability than CVE-2011-3026.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3045 represents a critical integer signedness error within the libpng library's png_inflate function located in pngrutil.c. This flaw affects libpng versions prior to 1.4.10beta01 and was notably present in Google Chrome versions before 17.0.963.83, making it a widespread concern across multiple software ecosystems. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer values during PNG decompression operations, specifically when processing compressed image data that has been manipulated to exploit the signedness mismatch.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the decompression phase of PNG files where the png_inflate function processes compressed data streams. When encountering crafted malicious PNG files, the function fails to properly validate the signedness of integer values used in buffer calculations and memory management operations. This error allows attackers to manipulate the decompression process in such a way that integer overflow conditions can be triggered, leading to unpredictable memory access patterns and potential control flow corruption. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-190 as an integer overflow or wraparound, which is a well-documented weakness in software security practices. The flaw specifically manifests when the decompression algorithm attempts to calculate buffer sizes or loop counters using improperly signed integers, creating conditions where legitimate integer operations can produce negative values or exceed maximum representable values.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3045 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution, making it a severe security concern for affected applications. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause application crashes through memory corruption or potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The attack vector requires only that a victim view a maliciously crafted PNG file, making it particularly dangerous in web browsing contexts where users may inadvertently encounter such files. The vulnerability's similarity to CVE-2011-3026 demonstrates the ongoing challenges in PNG decompression libraries, where integer handling errors can create multiple attack surfaces within the same codebase. This flaw particularly affects web browsers and applications that process PNG images, including but not limited to Google Chrome, Adobe Reader, and various content management systems that rely on libpng for image processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-3045 require immediate patching of affected libpng versions to 1.4.10beta01 or later, which incorporates proper integer validation and signedness handling in the png_inflate function. Organizations should prioritize updating their browser installations and any applications that utilize vulnerable libpng versions to prevent exploitation. Network security measures such as PNG file validation at ingress points can provide additional defense-in-depth, though these approaches are less reliable than proper software patching. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper integer handling in security-critical code paths and aligns with ATT&CK techniques related to code injection and privilege escalation through memory corruption vulnerabilities. Security teams should implement continuous monitoring for similar integer signedness errors in other image processing libraries and ensure that all third-party dependencies are regularly updated to address known vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in legitimate PNG file processing functionality while maintaining the security improvements necessary to prevent exploitation.