CVE-2014-8157 in Red Hat
Summary
by MITRE
Off-by-one error in the jpc_dec_process_sot function in JasPer 1.900.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted JPEG 2000 image, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8157 represents a critical security flaw within the JasPer library version 1.900.1 and earlier, specifically affecting the jpc_dec_process_sot function. This issue manifests as an off-by-one error that creates a heap-based buffer overflow condition when processing malformed JPEG 2000 image files. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory management and input validation, where the software fails to properly bounds-check data during the decoding process, creating opportunities for malicious actors to manipulate memory structures through carefully crafted input files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of packet headers within the JPEG 2000 format specification. When the jpc_dec_process_sot function processes the Start of Tile (SOT) marker segment, it incorrectly calculates the size of data to be read or allocated, leading to one-byte overflow conditions. This flaw falls under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and specifically relates to improper bounds checking in memory allocation operations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because JPEG 2000 is widely supported across various applications including web browsers, image processing software, and document management systems, making the attack surface extensive.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8157 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution, depending on the target system architecture and memory layout. Attackers can craft malicious JPEG 2000 files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, trigger the buffer overflow condition. This allows for arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability has been classified under the MITRE ATT&CK framework as part of the T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution technique, where attackers leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
Systems most at risk include any application or service that utilizes JasPer 1.900.1 or earlier versions for JPEG 2000 image processing, including web applications, document viewers, image servers, and multimedia processing frameworks. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because JPEG 2000 format is supported by numerous software vendors and is commonly used in professional imaging applications where users may unknowingly encounter malicious files. Security professionals should prioritize patching affected systems and implementing input validation measures to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation includes upgrading to JasPer version 1.900.2 or later, which contains fixes for this specific buffer overflow condition, along with implementing additional security controls such as sandboxing image processing components and monitoring for anomalous memory allocation patterns.