CVE-2011-3328 in iOS
Summary
by MITRE
The png_handle_cHRM function in pngrutil.c in libpng 1.5.4, when color-correction support is enabled, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (divide-by-zero error and application crash) via a malformed PNG image containing a cHRM chunk associated with a certain zero value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/06/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-3328 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the libpng library version 1.5.4, specifically affecting applications that utilize color-correction support. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the png_handle_cHRM function located in the pngrutil.c source file, where the library fails to properly handle malformed PNG image data containing a cHRM chunk with zero values. The cHRM chunk in PNG format is designed to store chromaticity coordinates for color correction purposes, making it an essential component for accurate color representation in image processing applications. When a maliciously crafted PNG file with a zero-valued cHRM chunk is processed by vulnerable software, the library encounters a mathematical division by zero error during the color correction calculation process.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the png_handle_cHRM function attempts to perform color space calculations using the invalid chromaticity data, specifically when processing a cHRM chunk that contains zero values for one or more of its coordinate parameters. This flaw falls under the CWE-369 vulnerability category, which encompasses divide-by-zero errors that can lead to application crashes and denial of service conditions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through any application that relies on libpng for PNG image processing, including web browsers, image viewers, graphic design software, and server applications that handle user-uploaded images. The divide-by-zero error results in an unhandled exception that terminates the application process, effectively creating a denial of service condition that can be exploited remotely by attackers who can upload or otherwise deliver malicious PNG files to target systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-3328 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it can be leveraged in broader attack scenarios within the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category for network denial of service. Systems that process PNG images automatically, such as web applications, content management systems, and file sharing platforms, become vulnerable to this attack vector. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and error handling in cryptographic and image processing libraries, as it highlights how seemingly benign data validation issues can lead to complete system availability compromise. Organizations using affected versions of libpng must urgently apply patches or implement workarounds, as the vulnerability affects a core component of image processing infrastructure across numerous operating systems and applications. The flaw represents a classic example of how insufficient bounds checking and mathematical operation validation can create exploitable conditions that undermine system stability and availability.
This vulnerability underscores the critical need for comprehensive testing of image processing libraries against malformed input data, particularly in environments where user-provided content is processed without proper sanitization. The security implications extend to any system that relies on libpng for image handling, as attackers can craft PNG files specifically designed to trigger the divide-by-zero condition. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices that include proper exception handling and input validation, as recommended in various security standards and frameworks including those from the Open Web Application Security Project and the Center for Internet Security. Organizations should implement network segmentation and input filtering mechanisms to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability while applying the appropriate patches to ensure system resilience against similar issues in the future.