CVE-2012-5581 in LibTIFF
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in tif_dir.c in LibTIFF before 4.0.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted DOTRANGE tag in a TIFF image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5581 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the LibTIFF library version 4.0.1 and earlier. This vulnerability specifically affects the tif_dir.c component of the library, which handles directory operations in TIFF image files. The flaw occurs when processing a specially crafted DOTRANGE tag within TIFF image data structures, creating a condition where attacker-controlled input can overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to be written beyond the allocated buffer space.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to construct a malicious TIFF image file containing a malformed DOTRANGE tag that triggers the buffer overflow during image parsing operations. When a vulnerable application processes this crafted image, the overflow can corrupt stack metadata including return addresses, leading to unpredictable program behavior. The impact ranges from denial of service through application crashes to potential arbitrary code execution, depending on the specific memory corruption patterns and the target application's execution environment. This vulnerability demonstrates the classic attack vector where untrusted input from image files is processed without adequate validation, allowing attackers to manipulate program control flow through stack corruption.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to applications that rely on LibTIFF for image processing, including web applications, image servers, content management systems, and digital asset management platforms. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can trigger the vulnerability through web uploads or file processing without requiring local access to the target system. The vulnerability affects multiple platforms and applications that depend on LibTIFF version 4.0.1 or earlier, making it a widespread concern across various software ecosystems. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes the exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access or execute malicious code through manipulation of input data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5581 primarily involve immediate upgrading to LibTIFF version 4.0.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict input validation for TIFF image files, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file processing patterns, and utilizing sandboxing techniques when processing untrusted image content. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning to identify potentially affected systems. Security teams should consider implementing automated monitoring for known vulnerable library versions and establish procedures for rapid response to similar future vulnerabilities in image processing libraries.