CVE-2014-8130 in LibTIFF
Summary
by MITRE
The _TIFFmalloc function in tif_unix.c in LibTIFF 4.0.3 does not reject a zero size, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (divide-by-zero error and application crash) via a crafted TIFF image that is mishandled by the TIFFWriteScanline function in tif_write.c, as demonstrated by tiffdither.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8130 represents a critical flaw in the LibTIFF library version 4.0.3 that manifests in the _TIFFmalloc function within the tif_unix.c file. This weakness occurs when the function fails to properly validate input parameters, specifically rejecting zero-sized memory allocation requests that should be considered invalid. The flaw creates a dangerous condition where maliciously crafted TIFF image files can trigger unexpected behavior in applications that rely on LibTIFF for image processing operations. The vulnerability operates at the memory management layer of the library, where proper input validation should occur before any allocation attempts are made. When a zero size parameter is passed to the allocation routine, it can lead to mathematical operations that result in division by zero errors, ultimately causing application instability and potential crashes.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass broader system reliability concerns within applications that utilize LibTIFF for image processing tasks. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting specially formatted TIFF files that, when processed by vulnerable applications such as tiffdither, will trigger the division-by-zero error in the TIFFWriteScanline function located in tif_write.c. This exploitation chain demonstrates how a seemingly minor input validation failure can be leveraged to cause complete application termination, effectively preventing legitimate users from accessing the affected services. The vulnerability affects not only the specific tiffdither utility but potentially any application that depends on LibTIFF for handling TIFF image files, creating a wide attack surface that could impact various multimedia processing systems, document management platforms, and image editing software.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses the improper validation of input lengths, and represents a classic example of inadequate boundary checking in memory management operations. The attack pattern follows the typical methodology described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1499.004 technique, specifically targeting application reliability through resource exhaustion and denial of service conditions. The flaw demonstrates how poor input validation can create cascading failures within software systems, where a single malformed input parameter can propagate through the call stack and result in system instability. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability primarily affects systems where LibTIFF is used as a dependency for image processing, making it particularly relevant for environments handling large volumes of image data, digital asset management systems, and applications with web-facing image processing capabilities.
The recommended mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8130 involve immediate patching of affected LibTIFF installations to version 4.0.4 or later, where the zero-size validation has been properly implemented. System administrators should also consider implementing input validation measures at the application level to prevent malformed TIFF files from reaching the underlying library functions. Additional protective measures include deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious TIFF file patterns and implementing sandboxing techniques for image processing operations. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems that depend on LibTIFF and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place. The fix implemented in subsequent versions demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and error handling in memory management functions, emphasizing that even seemingly benign parameter values such as zero should be carefully considered during the development and testing phases of software applications.