CVE-2014-9766 in pixman
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the create_bits function in pixman-bits-image.c in Pixman before 0.32.6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via large height and stride values.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/24/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9766 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the Pixman graphics library, specifically affecting the create_bits function in the pixman-bits-image.c source file. This issue exists in Pixman versions prior to 0.32.6 and demonstrates a classic software security weakness that can be exploited remotely to compromise system integrity. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and arithmetic overflow handling when processing image dimensions and memory allocation parameters.
The technical flaw manifests when the create_bits function processes image height and stride values that exceed the maximum representable integer values. When attackers supply maliciously crafted large height and stride parameters, the integer overflow causes the calculation of memory allocation sizes to wrap around, resulting in unexpectedly small or negative values. This overflow condition leads to improper memory allocation decisions that can cause memory corruption, application crashes, or potentially enable arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented weakness in software security practices.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous for applications that process untrusted image data. Systems utilizing Pixman for graphics rendering, including web browsers, desktop environments, and image processing applications, become vulnerable to exploitation. Attackers can craft specially formatted image files or manipulate image processing parameters to trigger the overflow condition, leading to system instability or unauthorized code execution. This vulnerability directly impacts the ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain system access, and T1499, related to network denial of service attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9766 primarily involve upgrading to Pixman version 0.32.6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the integer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all systems utilizing Pixman are updated promptly. Additionally, input validation measures should be enhanced to reject suspicious height and stride values before they reach the vulnerable function. Security monitoring should include detection of abnormal memory allocation patterns and potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper integer arithmetic handling in graphics libraries and the necessity of robust input validation in security-critical software components. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems processing untrusted image data, while maintaining regular security assessments to identify similar vulnerabilities in other graphics and multimedia libraries.