CVE-2013-6053 in OpenJPEG
Summary
by MITRE
OpenJPEG 1.5.1 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information via unspecified vectors that trigger a heap-based out-of-bounds read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/12/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-6053 affects OpenJPEG version 1.5.1, a widely used library for handling jpeg2000 image format processing. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that enables remote attackers to extract sensitive information from systems running vulnerable versions of the library. The issue manifests through unspecified vectors that create a heap-based out-of-bounds read condition, which is a serious memory corruption vulnerability that can lead to information disclosure and potentially more severe consequences. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or local access to the target system.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the category of memory safety issues, specifically heap-based buffer over-reads that fall under CWE-125 - Out-of-bounds Read. This type of flaw occurs when a program reads data from memory locations beyond the boundaries of allocated buffers, potentially exposing sensitive data that may be stored in adjacent memory regions. The heap-based aspect indicates that the vulnerability involves memory allocated dynamically during program execution, making it more complex to predict and exploit compared to stack-based buffer overflows. The unspecified vectors suggest that the attack surface is broad and may be triggered through various input processing scenarios within the jpeg2000 decoding pipeline.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for systems that process jpeg2000 images from untrusted sources, including web applications, image processing servers, and any software that relies on OpenJPEG for format handling. Attackers can potentially extract memory contents including cryptographic keys, session tokens, user credentials, or other sensitive information that happens to be stored in memory adjacent to the affected buffer. The remote exploitation capability means that adversaries can trigger this vulnerability through network-based attacks without requiring physical access or local privileges. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for web-facing applications and services that handle user-uploaded content, as it could enable information disclosure attacks that compromise system integrity and confidentiality.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of OpenJPEG, applying relevant security patches, and implementing input validation controls to prevent malformed jpeg2000 files from reaching the vulnerable library. Additionally, network segmentation and monitoring for unusual data access patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software libraries and implementing robust memory safety practices, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's techniques for privilege escalation and credential access through memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning and penetration testing to identify similar issues in their software dependencies and ensure comprehensive security coverage.