CVE-2014-0993 in Delphi
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the Vcl.Graphics.TPicture.Bitmap implementation in the Visual Component Library (VCL) in Embarcadero Delphi XE6 20.0.15596.9843 and C++ Builder XE6 20.0.15596.9843 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted BMP file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-0993 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Visual Component Library's graphics handling capabilities of Embarcadero Delphi and C++ Builder development environments. This issue specifically affects version 20.0.15596.9843 of both Delphi XE6 and C++ Builder XE6, creating a remote code execution vector through maliciously crafted BMP image files. The flaw exists in the Vcl.Graphics.TPicture.Bitmap implementation, which serves as the core component for handling bitmap graphics within the VCL framework that powers numerous Windows applications built with these development tools.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the application attempts to load a specially crafted BMP file that contains malformed data structures exceeding the allocated buffer space. The buffer overflow condition arises from insufficient bounds checking during the parsing of BMP file headers and pixel data, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious code. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient checks allow data to be written beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely through file-based attacks, making it a significant concern for applications that process untrusted image files from external sources.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. When an application using the vulnerable VCL components processes a malicious BMP file, the attacker can potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running application, which typically operates with the same permissions as the user. This remote code execution capability can lead to full system compromise, data exfiltration, and persistent access to target environments. The vulnerability affects any application built with the affected versions of Delphi or C++ Builder that utilize the TPicture.Bitmap component for image processing, making it particularly widespread in enterprise environments where these development tools are extensively used.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-0993 primarily involve immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates that address the buffer overflow condition in the VCL graphics handling components. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures that sanitize all image inputs before processing, including verifying file headers and implementing size limitations for bitmap files. Network-based defenses such as content filtering and email security solutions should be configured to block suspicious BMP files from entering the network perimeter. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through scripting and T1203 for exploitation of remote services. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted image processing components and maintain comprehensive monitoring for anomalous file processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.