CVE-2014-9846 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the ReadRLEImage function in coders/rle.c in ImageMagick 6.8.9.9 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9846 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ImageMagick image processing library, specifically within the ReadRLEImage function located in the coders/rle.c file. This issue affects ImageMagick version 6.8.9.9 and potentially other versions within the same release cycle, creating a significant security risk for systems that process untrusted image files through this library. The buffer overflow occurs during the handling of RLE (Run-Length Encoded) image formats, which are commonly used for compressing image data in various applications and systems.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the ReadRLEImage function, which fails to properly validate the size of data being read from RLE encoded image files. When processing malformed or specially crafted RLE images, the function attempts to write data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially leading to memory corruption. This flaw falls under the CWE-121 CWE category for stack-based buffer overflow, though the specific implementation may involve heap-based overflow conditions depending on the memory allocation patterns used by the RLE decoding routine. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through remote code execution when ImageMagick processes untrusted image files in automated systems or web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates opportunities for attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. When exploited, the buffer overflow can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to gain unauthorized access, escalate privileges, or disrupt service availability. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in web environments where ImageMagick is used for image processing, as attackers can upload maliciously crafted RLE images to trigger the vulnerability through web applications that utilize the library. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description indicates that the exact consequences can vary depending on the system configuration, memory layout, and exploitation techniques employed by attackers, potentially leading to remote code execution, denial of service, or information disclosure.
Systems utilizing ImageMagick for image processing, particularly those handling user-uploaded content, are at significant risk from this vulnerability. The exploitation requires minimal prerequisites beyond the ability to upload or deliver a malicious RLE image file, making it a highly attractive target for automated attacks. Organizations running web applications, content management systems, or any service that processes external image files through ImageMagick should consider this vulnerability as a critical security concern. The remediation approach involves updating to patched versions of ImageMagick, applying security patches, or implementing additional input validation measures to prevent processing of untrusted image formats until proper updates are deployed.
The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in image processing libraries, as these components often serve as attack vectors in web applications and automated processing systems. Security practitioners should implement network segmentation, file type validation, and regular security updates as mitigation strategies. Additionally, the vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of remote services, highlighting the need for comprehensive security controls in image processing workflows. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation when processing image files to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.