CVE-2014-9847 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
The jng decoder in ImageMagick 6.8.9.9 allows remote attackers to have an unspecified impact.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9847 affects the jng decoder component within ImageMagick version 6.8.9.9, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. This issue resides within the JPEG Network Graphics (JNG) format decoding functionality, which is part of the broader ImageMagick image processing library that supports numerous file formats. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory handling within the JNG decoder, creating opportunities for malicious actors to craft specially formatted JNG files that trigger buffer overflows or other memory corruption conditions when processed by the vulnerable software. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description indicates that the vulnerability can potentially lead to various security consequences including denial of service, code execution, or information disclosure depending on the specific attack vector and system configuration.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of JNG file structures during the decoding process, where the software fails to adequately validate the size and content of various JNG elements before allocating memory or processing data. This flaw falls under the category of memory safety issues and can be categorized as a CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, or potentially CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by delivering malicious JNG files through web applications, email attachments, or file sharing systems that utilize ImageMagick for image processing. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because ImageMagick is widely deployed across various platforms and applications, making the attack surface extensive and potentially affecting numerous systems that process user-uploaded images without proper validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9847 extends beyond simple exploitation capabilities to encompass significant risks for organizations relying on ImageMagick for image processing tasks. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can allow remote code execution on systems where ImageMagick is installed and configured to process user-supplied images, potentially enabling attackers to gain full system control or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability also poses risks for denial of service scenarios where attackers can crash services that depend on ImageMagick for image handling, leading to service disruption and potential business impact. Organizations using web applications, content management systems, or file processing services that incorporate ImageMagick are particularly vulnerable, as these systems often automatically process images uploaded by users without adequate security controls. The attack vector typically involves a simple file upload or web request that triggers the vulnerable decoder, making exploitation relatively straightforward and accessible to threat actors with basic technical skills.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9847 focus on immediate software updates and comprehensive security hardening measures. The primary and most effective remediation involves upgrading to ImageMagick version 6.8.9.10 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the JNG decoder vulnerability. Organizations should also implement strict input validation controls, including file type checking, size limitations, and content scanning for potentially malicious image files before processing. Network-based defenses such as web application firewalls and intrusion prevention systems can be configured to detect and block suspicious image file patterns that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing sandboxing techniques for image processing operations, restricting ImageMagick's capabilities through policy files, and disabling unnecessary image formats when possible. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving execution through compromised software and privilege escalation through code injection, emphasizing the need for layered security approaches that include both preventive measures and monitoring capabilities to detect potential exploitation attempts.