CVE-2014-9330 in LibTIFF
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in tif_packbits.c in bmp2tif in libtiff 4.0.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via crafted BMP image, related to dimensions, which triggers an out-of-bounds read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/01/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2014-9330 represents a critical integer overflow condition within the libtiff library's bmp2tif utility, specifically in the tif_packbits.c module. This flaw occurs when processing specially crafted BMP image files that contain manipulated dimension parameters, creating a scenario where the application fails to properly validate input data before performing arithmetic operations. The integer overflow results in a situation where calculated values exceed the maximum representable integer, causing unexpected behavior in the memory allocation and data processing routines. The vulnerability specifically targets the bmp2tif utility which serves as a converter for bitmap images to TIFF format, making it a potential attack vector for remote exploitation through malicious image files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during the processing of BMP image headers and dimension specifications. When the bmp2tif utility encounters a malformed BMP file with oversized or negative dimension values, the integer overflow occurs during calculations used to determine buffer sizes or memory allocation requirements. This overflow leads to an out-of-bounds read condition where the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw manifests as a crash or segmentation fault when the application tries to process these invalid dimensions, resulting in a denial of service condition that can be triggered remotely by an attacker who can upload or otherwise deliver a malicious BMP file to a system running the vulnerable software.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that process or convert image files, particularly those that might encounter untrusted input from external sources. The denial of service impact can affect web applications, file processing services, and image conversion utilities that rely on libtiff for bitmap to TIFF conversion. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability to disrupt services by causing the targeted applications to crash, potentially leading to availability issues that can be amplified in environments where multiple processes or services depend on the vulnerable library. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need local access to the system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for publicly accessible services or applications that handle user-uploaded content.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which addresses integer overflow and underflow conditions, and relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of libtiff to version 4.0.4 or later where the integer overflow has been addressed through proper input validation and bounds checking. Organizations should also implement input sanitization measures for image processing workflows, particularly when handling untrusted files from external sources. Additional defensive measures include deploying network segmentation to limit exposure, implementing file type validation and size restrictions, and using sandboxed environments for image processing tasks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potential integer overflow conditions within similar image processing libraries and applications. The fix implemented in the patched version ensures that dimension parameters are properly validated before any arithmetic operations are performed, preventing the overflow condition that leads to the out-of-bounds read and subsequent crash.