CVE-2014-9835 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
Heap overflow in ImageMagick 6.8.9-9 via a crafted wpf file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9835 represents a critical heap overflow condition within ImageMagick version 6.8.9-9 that occurs when processing specially crafted wpf files. This vulnerability falls under the category of memory corruption issues and specifically manifests as a heap-based buffer overflow that can be exploited through improper input validation during image file parsing operations. The wpf file format, which stands for Windows Presentation Foundation, is a vector graphics format that utilizes XML-based markup to define visual elements and can be processed by ImageMagick for various image manipulation tasks. The flaw exists in the way ImageMagick handles the parsing of wpf files, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to provide malicious input that exceeds allocated memory buffers, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.
This heap overflow vulnerability directly relates to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory regions. The technical implementation of this flaw occurs during the wpf file parsing routine within ImageMagick's image processing pipeline, where the application fails to properly validate the size and structure of elements within the wpf file before attempting to allocate memory for processing. The vulnerability can be triggered when an application using ImageMagick processes a malicious wpf file, causing the heap memory allocation to overflow and potentially overwrite adjacent memory segments, which may contain critical program data or control structures.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9835 is significant as it provides attackers with a potential pathway for remote code execution on systems that utilize ImageMagick for image processing tasks. This vulnerability can be exploited in web applications, content management systems, or any environment where users can upload or process image files, particularly when ImageMagick is configured to automatically process wpf files. The attack surface extends beyond simple file processing to include scenarios where ImageMagick is used as a backend service for image conversion, thumbnail generation, or automated image analysis systems. Successful exploitation could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9835 should focus on immediate patching of ImageMagick to version 6.8.9-10 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to address the heap overflow condition in wpf file processing. Organizations should implement strict input validation measures that prevent processing of untrusted wpf files or implement file type whitelisting to restrict the formats that can be processed by ImageMagick. Additionally, deployment of web application firewalls and security monitoring solutions can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. System administrators should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms or containerization for applications that utilize ImageMagick to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and code execution, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where ImageMagick is widely deployed.