CVE-2015-6581 in OpenJPEG
Summary
by MITRE
Double free vulnerability in the opj_j2k_copy_default_tcp_and_create_tcd function in j2k.c in OpenJPEG before r3002, as used in PDFium in Google Chrome before 45.0.2454.85, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (heap memory corruption) by triggering a memory-allocation failure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2022
The CVE-2015-6581 vulnerability represents a critical double free error within the OpenJPEG library implementation that affects multiple applications including Google Chrome's PDFium component. This flaw exists in the opj_j2k_copy_default_tcp_and_create_tcd function located in the j2k.c source file, specifically impacting versions prior to r3002. The vulnerability manifests when processing JPEG 2000 formatted image data, creating a scenario where the same memory block can be freed twice during the execution flow, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation by malicious actors.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the JPEG 2000 decoder implementation. When the function processes certain malformed or crafted JPEG 2000 image data, it fails to properly validate memory allocation states before attempting to free previously allocated memory blocks. This double free condition creates heap corruption that can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory structures or pointers, ultimately allowing remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system. The vulnerability specifically targets heap memory corruption patterns that align with common exploitation techniques described in the CWE-415 standard for double free conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-6581 is significant as it enables remote code execution in the context of the affected applications, particularly Google Chrome and its PDFium rendering engine. Attackers can craft malicious PDF documents containing specially formatted JPEG 2000 images that trigger this vulnerability when the browser attempts to render the document. The exploitation can result in complete system compromise or denial of service conditions, making it particularly dangerous in web browsing environments where users frequently encounter untrusted content. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for client execution, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code through browser-based attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate application of patches to update OpenJPEG to versions after r3002, along with ensuring Google Chrome is updated to version 45.0.2454.85 or later. System administrators should implement network-based protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems that can detect and block suspicious JPEG 2000 content. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted PDF documents and the importance of keeping their browsers and plugins updated. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in image processing libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation and error handling in multimedia frameworks. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, as the double free condition can be particularly effective in creating arbitrary code execution scenarios within the browser environment.