CVE-2014-8562 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
DCM decode in ImageMagick before 6.8.9-9 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/29/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8562 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within ImageMagick's DCM (Digital Communications and Media) decoding functionality. This issue affects versions prior to 6.8.9-9 and allows remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks through carefully crafted malicious DCM files. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking within the image processing pipeline, specifically when handling DCM formatted image data. When ImageMagick attempts to decode DCM files without proper boundary validation, it reads memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, leading to unpredictable behavior and system instability. This flaw directly impacts the robustness and reliability of image processing systems that utilize ImageMagick as their underlying library for handling various image formats including DCM.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of DCM file structures to trigger memory access violations during the decoding process. Attackers can craft malicious DCM files containing malformed headers or metadata that cause the decoder to access memory regions outside the intended data boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read classification, which is categorized as a memory safety issue where programs read data from memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw operates at the intersection of image format parsing and memory management, where insufficient validation of file headers and data structures leads to arbitrary memory access patterns. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited remotely through web applications or services that process user-uploaded images, making it a significant threat to web server security and availability.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates substantial risks for organizations relying on ImageMagick for image processing tasks. The denial of service condition can result in complete system unavailability or application crashes, potentially affecting web applications, content management systems, and digital asset management platforms. When exploited successfully, the out-of-bounds read can cause the application to terminate unexpectedly, leading to service disruption and potential data loss. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where automated image processing occurs, as it can be triggered by simply uploading a malicious file, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to disrupt services. Organizations using vulnerable versions of ImageMagick may experience cascading failures if the affected applications are part of critical infrastructure or high-traffic web services.
The recommended mitigation strategy for CVE-2014-8562 involves immediate upgrading to ImageMagick version 6.8.9-9 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the out-of-bounds read vulnerability. System administrators should also implement additional security measures such as input validation, file type checking, and sandboxed execution environments for image processing tasks. Organizations should consider implementing file format whitelisting to restrict processing to known safe image formats and employ automated scanning tools to identify potentially malicious files before they are processed. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for executing malicious code through image processing, highlighting the importance of securing image handling components in application security frameworks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar memory safety issues within image processing libraries and other multimedia handling components to prevent exploitation of similar flaws in the future.