CVE-2012-2370 in gdk-pixbuf
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in the read_bitmap_file_data function in io-xbm.c in gdk-pixbuf before 2.26.1 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a negative (1) height or (2) width in an XBM file, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2370 represents a critical integer overflow issue within the gdk-pixbuf library version 2.26.1 and earlier, specifically affecting the read_bitmap_file_data function in the io-xbm.c module. This flaw resides in the handling of XBM (X BitMap) image file parsing operations, where the library fails to properly validate the dimensions of bitmap data before attempting to allocate memory for buffer operations. The vulnerability manifests when an attacker crafts a malicious XBM file containing negative values for either the width or height parameters, which are then interpreted as signed integers without proper bounds checking. This issue falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, specifically involving signed integer overflow conditions that can lead to unexpected behavior in memory allocation routines. The attack vector is remote, allowing adversaries to trigger the vulnerability through the processing of maliciously formatted XBM files, making it particularly dangerous in web-based environments where users might unknowingly download and process such files.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs during the parsing phase of XBM image files when the gdk-pixbuf library attempts to read and process bitmap data. When negative width or height values are encountered, the integer overflow results in the calculation of invalid buffer sizes that are subsequently used to allocate memory on the heap. This heap-based buffer overflow creates a situation where the application may attempt to write data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, leading to memory corruption that ultimately results in application crashes or unexpected termination. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to cause denial of service conditions, and T1059, as the vulnerability allows for arbitrary code execution through memory corruption. The vulnerability's impact is particularly severe because it affects a core image processing library that is widely used across various desktop environments and applications, making it a prime target for exploitation in broader attack campaigns.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2370 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as the heap-based buffer overflow presents opportunities for more sophisticated exploitation techniques that could potentially lead to privilege escalation or remote code execution in vulnerable environments. Systems that process untrusted image files, including web browsers, image viewers, and content management systems, become vulnerable to this attack vector. The vulnerability's prevalence in the ecosystem means that numerous applications relying on gdk-pixbuf for image processing are at risk, including desktop applications, web servers processing image uploads, and mobile applications that utilize this library for graphics handling. Organizations using affected versions of gdk-pixbuf should consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their attack surface, particularly in environments where users can upload or download image files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-190 and its potential for exploitation aligns with the ATT&CK framework's focus on software exploitation techniques, specifically targeting memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be leveraged to compromise system integrity.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2370 primarily focus on upgrading to the patched version of gdk-pixbuf, specifically version 2.26.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly validate integer values before buffer allocation. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive the security update promptly, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without user interaction. Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation for image file processing, particularly for XBM format files, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file upload patterns. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for image processing operations, limiting the potential impact of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper integer validation and bounds checking in memory management operations, aligning with security best practices outlined in various industry standards including the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. Regular security assessments and code reviews focusing on integer handling and memory allocation patterns should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components that may be susceptible to the same class of issues.