CVE-2014-9764 in imlib2
Summary
by MITRE
imlib2 before 1.4.7 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) via a crafted GIF file.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9764 affects the imlib2 library version 1.4.7 and earlier, representing a critical denial of service flaw that can be exploited remotely through crafted GIF image files. This vulnerability resides within the image processing capabilities of imlib2, a widely used library for handling various image formats including gif png and jpeg. The flaw specifically manifests when the library processes malformed or specially crafted gif files that contain invalid data structures or malformed metadata that the parser cannot properly handle during image decoding operations. The vulnerability has been classified under CWE-129 Input Validation and CWE-119 Improper Restriction of Operations within a Memory Buffer, indicating that the issue stems from insufficient validation of input data and inadequate memory access controls during image processing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a gif file containing maliciously constructed data sequences that trigger buffer overflows or invalid memory access patterns within the imlib2 library. When the library attempts to parse such a crafted file, the parsing routine fails to properly validate the gif format structure and encounters unexpected data that causes the application using imlib2 to crash with a segmentation fault. This type of vulnerability represents a classic case of improper input validation where the library does not adequately sanitize or reject malformed gif files before attempting to process them. The impact is particularly severe because imlib2 is integrated into numerous applications and systems that handle user-uploaded or externally sourced images, making this vulnerability exploitable in a wide range of contexts including web applications email clients and image processing systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9764 extends beyond simple service disruption as it can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks within the broader context of the attack chain. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be used as an initial access vector or as part of a multi-stage attack where the denial of service serves as a precursor to more advanced exploitation techniques. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on imlib2 for image processing and could be exploited by attackers to disrupt services in web applications that utilize this library for image handling. In addition to causing immediate service disruption, the vulnerability could potentially be used to gain information about system configurations or application behavior through carefully crafted payloads that might reveal memory layout details or application state information. The widespread adoption of imlib2 across various software platforms means that exploitation of this vulnerability could affect numerous applications including web browsers desktop applications and server-side image processing systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9764 focus primarily on upgrading to imlib2 version 1.4.7 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through improved input validation and enhanced error handling mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems utilizing imlib2 receive the necessary updates promptly. Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation at application level where imlib2 is used, employing sandboxing techniques to isolate image processing operations, and deploying network monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning to identify systems running vulnerable versions of imlib2 and establish proper access controls to limit exposure of applications that handle external image files. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper software supply chain security and highlights the need for regular security assessments of third-party libraries used in application development, particularly those handling untrusted input data. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and restricting file upload capabilities to prevent exploitation through user-uploaded content.