CVE-2014-8127 in LibTIFF
Summary
by MITRE
LibTIFF 4.0.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read and crash) via a crafted TIFF image to the (1) checkInkNamesString function in tif_dir.c in the thumbnail tool, (2) compresscontig function in tiff2bw.c in the tiff2bw tool, (3) putcontig8bitCIELab function in tif_getimage.c in the tiff2rgba tool, LZWPreDecode function in tif_lzw.c in the (4) tiff2ps or (5) tiffdither tool, (6) NeXTDecode function in tif_next.c in the tiffmedian tool, or (7) TIFFWriteDirectoryTagLongLong8Array function in tif_dirwrite.c in the tiffset tool.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8127 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw affecting multiple components within the LibTIFF library version 4.0.3. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within several core functions that process TIFF image files, creating opportunities for remote attackers to exploit memory access violations through crafted malicious TIFF images. The affected functions span across various TIFF processing tools including thumbnail generation, image conversion utilities, and directory writing operations, indicating a systemic issue in the library's handling of malformed image data structures.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through multiple attack vectors that exploit different functions within the LibTIFF codebase. The checkInkNamesString function in tif_dir.c demonstrates a classic buffer over-read scenario when processing thumbnail data, while the compresscontig function in tiff2bw.c reveals similar memory access issues during black and white image conversion processes. The putcontig8bitCIELab function in tif_getimage.c shows improper bounds checking when converting images to RGBA format, and the LZWPreDecode function in tif_lzw.c exposes vulnerabilities during LZW compression decoding operations. Additionally, the NeXTDecode function in tif_next.c and TIFFWriteDirectoryTagLongLong8Array function in tif_dirwrite.c present comparable weaknesses in their respective processing pipelines, all stemming from inadequate validation of image metadata and data structures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security implications for systems that process untrusted TIFF image files, particularly in environments where automated image processing occurs. The out-of-bounds read conditions can result in application crashes, system instability, and potential denial of service conditions that may affect legitimate users of the affected software. Attackers can leverage these vulnerabilities to disrupt services by submitting malicious TIFF files to applications that utilize LibTIFF libraries, potentially causing cascading failures in document management systems, image processing pipelines, and digital asset management platforms. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as these memory access violations could theoretically be exploited to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges depending on the execution environment and memory layout.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and CWE-787, concerning out-of-bounds write operations that can lead to memory corruption. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service through code injection, specifically targeting the execution of untrusted code within legitimate applications. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that TIFF files are commonly used in professional environments, making these vulnerabilities attractive targets for adversaries seeking to compromise document processing systems. Organizations utilizing affected tools should implement immediate mitigations including input sanitization, restricted file processing, and comprehensive patching strategies to address the root causes of these memory access violations.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize updating to patched versions of LibTIFF library where available, implementing strict input validation mechanisms for TIFF file processing, and deploying network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable applications. Security teams should also consider implementing file type validation, size limitations, and sandboxed processing environments for TIFF file handling. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in multimedia processing libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of image processing components, particularly those handling complex binary formats like TIFF that contain extensive metadata structures. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of their systems to identify all applications utilizing the affected LibTIFF versions and ensure proper patch management protocols are implemented to prevent exploitation of these memory access vulnerabilities.