CVE-2012-4405 in icclib
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer underflows in the icmLut_allocate function in International Color Consortium (ICC) Format library (icclib), as used in Ghostscript 9.06 and Argyll Color Management System, allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) PostScript or (2) PDF file with embedded images, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow. NOTE: this issue is also described as an array index error.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-4405 represents a critical security flaw within the International Color Consortium ICC Format library implementation, specifically within the icmLut_allocate function. This vulnerability affects widely used color management systems including Ghostscript 9.06 and the Argyll Color Management System, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on proper color handling in document processing and imaging workflows. The flaw stems from improper input validation and handling of color profile data, creating a dangerous condition where maliciously crafted color profiles can trigger system instability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as multiple integer underflows occurring within the icmLut_allocate function, which is responsible for allocating lookup table memory structures used in color management operations. When processing crafted PostScript or PDF files containing embedded images with malformed ICC color profiles, the function fails to properly validate integer values during memory allocation calculations. This leads to a situation where the calculated buffer size becomes negative or excessively small, resulting in heap-based buffer overflows that can corrupt adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-190 as an integer overflow/underflow condition, specifically manifesting as an array index error that allows for memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enabling remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous for web-based systems and document processing environments. Attackers can craft malicious documents that, when processed by vulnerable systems, will cause the application to crash or potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected process. This presents a significant risk in enterprise environments where document processing servers receive untrusted input from external sources, as it could allow attackers to compromise system integrity and gain unauthorized access to sensitive data or infrastructure resources. The vulnerability affects the core color management functionality that is essential for proper document rendering and image processing across multiple platforms and applications.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected systems, with security updates from vendors such as Artifex (Ghostscript) and the Argyll Color Management System developers providing the primary solution. Organizations should implement strict input validation measures for all document processing workflows, particularly when handling untrusted content from external sources. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can help reduce the attack surface, while regular security assessments should verify that all color management components are properly updated. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203 as Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting the need for comprehensive endpoint protection measures. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing sandboxing techniques for document processing and monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as the heap corruption behavior makes detection through traditional means challenging.