CVE-2014-1947 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the WritePSDImage function in coders/psd.c in ImageMagick 6.5.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a large number of layers in a PSD image, involving the L%02ld string, a different vulnerability than CVE-2014-2030.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2014-1947 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow affecting ImageMagick version 6.5.4 and earlier, specifically within the WritePSDImage function located in coders/psd.c. This flaw occurs when processing Photoshop Document (PSD) image files containing an excessive number of layers, creating a dangerous condition where attacker-controlled input data can overwrite adjacent memory regions on the stack. The vulnerability manifests through the L%02ld string formatting operation, which fails to properly validate layer count limits, allowing maliciously crafted PSD files to trigger memory corruption. The flaw is distinct from CVE-2014-2030, indicating separate code paths and exploitation vectors within the same software component.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic stack buffer overflow where the WritePSDImage function does not adequately validate the number of layers present in PSD files before attempting to process them. When a PSD file contains an excessive number of layers, the function attempts to format layer identifiers using the L%02ld string pattern without proper bounds checking, leading to stack corruption that can result in program termination or potentially arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized as a fundamental memory safety issue in software development. The attack vector requires remote exploitation through the processing of maliciously crafted PSD files, making it particularly dangerous in web applications and content processing systems that accept user-uploaded images.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-1947 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution, creating significant security risks for systems relying on ImageMagick for image processing. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause application crashes that lead to service disruption, while the buffer overflow condition may allow attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected process. The vulnerability affects a wide range of applications including web servers, content management systems, and image processing pipelines that utilize ImageMagick, making it a critical concern for organizations running these services. The remote nature of the attack means that systems can be compromised simply by processing malicious image files, without requiring user interaction or specific authentication.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to ImageMagick version 6.8.0-10 or later, which contains patches addressing this vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing file type validation and limiting the number of layers allowed in PSD files through configuration settings. Network-based protections can be implemented through web application firewalls that scan for suspicious image file content and prevent processing of potentially malicious files. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in image processing libraries, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1068 for Validated Credentials and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their image processing pipelines and implement principle of least privilege for applications handling user-uploaded content, as this vulnerability could be leveraged in broader attack chains targeting web applications and content management systems.