CVE-2014-9762 in imlib2
Summary
by MITRE
imlib2 before 1.4.7 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) via a GIF image without a colormap.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9762 affects the imlib2 image processing library version 1.4.7 and earlier, representing a critical denial of service flaw that can be exploited remotely. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of GIF image files and occurs when a GIF image lacks a colormap structure, leading to a segmentation fault that crashes applications utilizing the library. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the image parsing routines, where the library fails to properly manage malformed GIF files that do not contain the expected colormap data that is typically present in valid GIF format specifications.
The technical flaw manifests in the imlib2 library's GIF decoder implementation, which does not perform proper bounds checking or null pointer validation when processing image data structures. When a GIF file without a colormap is encountered, the parsing code attempts to access memory locations that have not been properly initialized or allocated, resulting in a segmentation fault that terminates the executing process. This behavior aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities, and CWE-476, which covers null pointer dereference conditions. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be triggered through any application that utilizes imlib2 for image processing, including web servers, desktop applications, and image manipulation tools.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can be leveraged by remote attackers to systematically crash services that process user-uploaded images or fetch images from external sources. Attackers can craft malicious GIF files that exploit this weakness to cause denial of service conditions across multiple platforms and applications. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in web environments where image processing libraries are commonly used to handle user-generated content, as it allows for easy exploitation without requiring elevated privileges or complex attack vectors. The flaw can be exploited through various attack paths including web application interfaces, file upload handlers, and image processing pipelines, making it a significant risk for organizations relying on imlib2 for image handling capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9762 primarily involve upgrading to imlib2 version 1.4.7 or later, which includes proper input validation and error handling for GIF files without colormaps. System administrators should also implement additional protective measures such as input sanitization, image format validation, and sandboxing of image processing operations to prevent exploitation. Network-level protections can include implementing image validation at ingress points and using application firewalls to monitor for suspicious image file patterns. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems using affected versions of imlib2 and prioritize patching efforts accordingly. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in multimedia processing libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of image parsing components against malformed input data. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, while the exploitation pattern aligns with T1203 for legitimate system exploitation through software vulnerabilities.