CVE-2012-3403 in GIMP
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the KiSS CEL file format plug-in in GIMP 2.8.x and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted KiSS palette file, which triggers an "invalid free."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-3403 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within the KiSS CEL file format plug-in of GIMP version 2.8.x and earlier. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices when processing specially crafted KiSS palette files. The vulnerability manifests as an "invalid free" condition that occurs during the parsing of malformed palette data, creating a dangerous state in the application's memory heap that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a malicious KiSS palette file that contains oversized or malformed data structures which exceed the allocated buffer boundaries during parsing operations. When GIMP attempts to process such a file through its KiSS CEL plug-in, the buffer overflow corrupts adjacent memory regions and can lead to arbitrary code execution or complete application crash. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in software applications that fail to properly validate input data against buffer boundaries. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely through file-based attacks, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise systems running vulnerable versions of GIMP.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-3403 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution in the context of the user running the vulnerable GIMP application. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by delivering malicious palette files through various attack vectors including email attachments, compromised websites, or file sharing platforms. When a user opens or interacts with the crafted file, the vulnerability is triggered, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands with the privileges of the affected user. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for environments where GIMP is used for image editing tasks involving untrusted files, as it creates a persistent threat vector that can be exploited without requiring special privileges or complex attack chains.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected GIMP installations to version 2.8.10 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should also implement file validation measures including sandboxing of file processing operations and restricting file type handling to prevent automatic execution of potentially malicious palette files. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network-based protections such as intrusion prevention systems that can detect and block known malicious file patterns associated with this vulnerability. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched environments to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in legitimate file processing functionality while maintaining the security posture against this specific heap-based buffer overflow threat. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management and input validation practices in preventing remote code execution exploits that can compromise entire computing environments.