CVE-2015-5297 in pixman
Summary
by MITRE
An integer overflow issue has been reported in the general_composite_rect() function in pixman prior to version 0.32.8. An attacker could exploit this issue to cause an application using pixman to crash or, potentially, execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/23/2024
The integer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5297 resides within the pixman graphics library, a critical component used extensively in graphics rendering across numerous applications and operating systems. This flaw specifically manifests in the general_composite_rect() function, which handles composite operations for graphics processing. The vulnerability affects pixman versions prior to 0.32.8, making it a significant concern for systems that have not been updated to address this issue. The pixman library serves as a fundamental graphics rendering engine that supports various graphics operations including compositing, scaling, and color transformations, making its security paramount to overall system stability and security.
The technical flaw stems from an integer overflow condition that occurs when processing composite rectangle operations. When an application processes graphics operations through the affected pixman library, the general_composite_rect() function fails to properly validate input parameters that determine the dimensions of composite rectangles. This validation failure allows an attacker to craft malicious input that causes integer overflow during calculations, resulting in unexpected behavior within the memory management system. The overflow occurs when the product of width and height values exceeds the maximum representable value for the integer type used in the calculation, leading to wraparound behavior that can corrupt memory structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, presenting a potential pathway for arbitrary code execution. When the integer overflow occurs, it can lead to memory corruption that allows attackers to manipulate program execution flow, potentially enabling code injection attacks. The vulnerability affects any application that utilizes pixman for graphics operations, including web browsers, desktop environments, graphics applications, and system utilities. This broad attack surface makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can be exploited across multiple application types. The memory corruption resulting from the overflow can be leveraged to overwrite critical program structures, function pointers, or return addresses, providing an attacker with opportunities to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5297 primarily focus on updating to pixman version 0.32.8 or later, which includes patches that address the integer overflow condition through proper input validation and overflow detection mechanisms. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems using affected pixman versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Additional defensive measures include implementing application sandboxing, restricting network access for graphics applications, and monitoring for unusual application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which categorizes issues where integer arithmetic results in values that exceed the maximum representable value. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through graphics rendering components, and T1068 for privilege escalation through memory corruption. System administrators should also consider implementing automated patch management solutions to ensure timely updates across all affected systems and maintain continuous monitoring for potential exploitation attempts that could leverage this vulnerability for broader system compromise.