CVE-2012-2812 in libexif
Summary
by MITRE
The exif_entry_get_value function in exif-entry.c in the EXIF Tag Parsing Library (aka libexif) before 0.6.21 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) or possibly obtain sensitive information from process memory via crafted EXIF tags in an image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2812 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the EXIF Tag Parsing Library commonly known as libexif. This library serves as a fundamental component for processing EXIF metadata embedded within digital images, particularly those in jpeg format. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and boundary checking within the exif_entry_get_value function located in the exif-entry.c source file. When processing malformed or crafted EXIF tags, the library fails to properly validate array indices, leading to memory access violations that can result in unpredictable behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts malicious EXIF metadata within an image file that triggers the exif_entry_get_value function to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This flaw falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, specifically addressing improper validation of array indices, which is a common vector for out-of-bounds memory access vulnerabilities. The vulnerability can be leveraged by remote attackers who upload or share images containing crafted EXIF data, making it particularly dangerous in web applications, content management systems, or any platform that processes user-uploaded images without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2812 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable information disclosure attacks. While the primary effect manifests as out-of-bounds reads that may cause application crashes or system instability, the vulnerability's potential for sensitive information exposure from process memory makes it particularly concerning for security-sensitive environments. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1566.001 for Phishing, as attackers can leverage such vulnerabilities to gain footholds in systems processing image files. The vulnerability affects systems that utilize libexif version 0.6.20 or earlier, making it relevant to numerous applications including web servers, image processing libraries, and digital asset management platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2812 primarily involve upgrading to libexif version 0.6.21 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms. System administrators should implement comprehensive image validation processes that sanitize EXIF metadata before processing, particularly in web-facing applications. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for unusual image processing activities and implementing network segmentation for image handling services can provide additional layers of protection. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for image processing to contain potential exploitation attempts and regularly audit their image processing pipelines for similar vulnerabilities. The fix addresses the underlying CWE-129 weakness through proper input validation and boundary checking, ensuring that array access operations remain within legitimate memory boundaries.