CVE-2015-3885 in dcraw
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the ljpeg_start function in dcraw 7.00 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted image, which triggers a buffer overflow, related to the len variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/18/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-3885 represents a critical integer overflow condition within the dcraw software library version 7.00 and earlier. This flaw exists specifically within the ljpeg_start function where improper handling of the len variable creates a scenario that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute a denial of service attack. The affected software serves as a raw digital camera image decoder that processes various image formats including jpeg, making it a potential target for attackers seeking to disrupt services that depend on proper image processing capabilities.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from an integer overflow condition that occurs when the len variable exceeds the maximum value that can be represented within its allocated memory space. This overflow directly translates into a buffer overflow scenario where the application attempts to write data beyond the boundaries of allocated memory buffers. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through the processing of a specially crafted image file, allowing attackers to remotely initiate the vulnerable code path without requiring any special privileges or local access to the target system.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for systems that process user-uploaded images or rely on dcraw for image manipulation tasks. The denial of service impact means that legitimate users may be unable to process images, potentially disrupting critical workflows in photography applications, digital asset management systems, or any platform that utilizes dcraw for image handling. The remote exploit capability amplifies the threat as attackers can trigger the vulnerability from anywhere on the network without needing physical access to the affected systems.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions that can lead to buffer overflows and subsequent memory corruption. Additionally, this flaw can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks that leverage software vulnerabilities to disrupt system availability. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that dcraw is widely used in various applications and systems, making the impact of this vulnerability potentially widespread across multiple domains including web applications, image processing platforms, and digital media services.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate software updates to versions that address the integer overflow condition in the ljpeg_start function. Organizations should implement input validation measures that check image file parameters before processing, particularly focusing on length variables that could trigger the overflow condition. Network segmentation and access controls should be employed to limit exposure of systems that process user-uploaded images, while regular security assessments should be conducted to identify similar integer overflow vulnerabilities in other image processing libraries and software components.