CVE-2012-3402 in GIMP
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in plug-ins/common/psd.c in the Adobe Photoshop PSD plugin in GIMP 2.2.13 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted channels header value in a PSD image file, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow, a different vulnerability than CVE-2009-3909.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-3402 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the Adobe Photoshop PSD plugin implementation in GIMP version 2.2.13 and earlier. This issue resides in the plug-ins/common/psd.c file where the software fails to properly validate channel header values when processing PSD image files. The flaw manifests when a maliciously crafted PSD file contains an oversized channels header value that triggers an integer overflow condition during the parsing process. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of integer overflow/underflow, specifically demonstrating how improper input validation can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs through a heap-based buffer overflow that results from the integer overflow condition. When GIMP attempts to parse the malformed PSD file, the overflowed integer value is used as a buffer size parameter, leading to allocation of insufficient memory for the subsequent buffer operations. This creates a situation where the application writes beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially corrupting adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely through the processing of maliciously crafted PSD files, making it a significant threat vector for remote code execution attacks. The flaw demonstrates a classic buffer overflow pattern that has been extensively documented in the cybersecurity community and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable arbitrary code execution on affected systems. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness by constructing specially crafted PSD files that, when opened or processed by vulnerable GIMP versions, will trigger the overflow condition. This creates a potential attack surface where malicious actors could deliver payloads through image files, particularly in environments where GIMP is used for image processing. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also organizations that rely on GIMP for professional image editing workflows, as the attack can be delivered through legitimate image file handling processes. Systems running GIMP versions prior to the patched release remain exposed to this threat, making timely patch management crucial for maintaining security posture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-3402 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by the GIMP development team. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to GIMP versions that contain the fix for this vulnerability, as the patch addresses the integer overflow condition in the PSD plugin parsing logic. Additionally, implementing defensive measures such as restricting file type processing, employing sandboxed environments for image file handling, and deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file content patterns can provide additional layers of protection. Network-based mitigations might include filtering PSD file types at network boundaries or implementing content inspection mechanisms to prevent potentially malicious files from reaching vulnerable systems. Security teams should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure all instances of GIMP across their infrastructure receive timely updates. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and proper integer handling in image processing libraries, emphasizing that even seemingly benign file format parsing can present significant security risks when not properly secured against malformed input data.