CVE-2013-1913 in Red Hat
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the load_image function in file-xwd.c in the X Window Dump (XWD) plug-in in GIMP 2.6.9 and earlier, when used with glib before 2.24, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a large color entries value in an X Window System (XWD) image dump.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1913 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the X Window Dump plug-in of GIMP version 2.6.9 and earlier. This issue specifically manifests in the load_image function located in file-xwd.c, where improper handling of color entries values in XWD image dumps creates a pathway for remote exploitation. The vulnerability becomes particularly dangerous when GIMP operates in conjunction with glib versions prior to 2.24, as these older library versions lack the necessary safeguards to prevent the overflow condition from escalating into more severe security consequences.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability stems from the improper validation of color entries parameters within XWD image format parsing. When an attacker crafts a malicious XWD file containing an oversized color entries value, the integer overflow occurs during the memory allocation process, causing the application to miscalculate the required buffer size. This miscalculation results in insufficient memory allocation or overflow conditions that can corrupt memory structures, leading to application crashes or potentially allowing arbitrary code execution. The flaw aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and execution control.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to users who may unknowingly open malicious XWD files, particularly in environments where GIMP is used for image processing tasks. The remote attack vector means that adversaries can exploit this flaw through network-based delivery mechanisms without requiring local access to the target system. The potential for both denial of service and arbitrary code execution creates a dual threat scenario where attackers can either disrupt workflow through crashes or establish persistent access through code execution. This vulnerability affects the broader X Window System ecosystem and demonstrates how seemingly benign image format parsing can become a critical attack surface.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1913 primarily focus on immediate remediation through software updates and version management. Users should upgrade to GIMP versions 2.8.0 and later, which contain fixes for this vulnerability, while also ensuring that glib libraries are updated to version 2.24 or higher. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies for image processing workflows and consider employing sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Additionally, network-based security controls such as intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor for suspicious XWD file patterns, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for process injection and T1059 for command and scripting interpreters. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected systems. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia processing applications, particularly those handling potentially malicious file formats from untrusted sources.