CVE-2015-8096 in Picasa
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in Google Picasa 3.9.140 Build 239 and Build 248 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors related to "phase one 0x412 tag," which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/26/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-8096 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within Google Picasa version 3.9.140 Build 239 and Build 248 that exposes users to remote code execution risks. This vulnerability specifically manifests through improper handling of image metadata during the parsing of jpeg files, where the application fails to properly validate integer values when processing the "phase one 0x412 tag" within image headers. The flaw falls under CWE-190, which categorizes integer overflow conditions that can lead to buffer overflows and arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability operates by manipulating the size parameters within the jpeg file structure to cause integer wraparound, which then results in insufficient memory allocation for subsequent buffer operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of a heap-based buffer overflow that occurs when Picasa attempts to process malformed jpeg files containing specially crafted metadata. The "phase one 0x412 tag" refers to a specific marker within the jpeg specification that contains information about the image's structure and metadata. When an attacker crafts a jpeg file with malicious values in this tag, the application's integer overflow condition causes the heap allocation to be insufficiently sized, creating a situation where subsequent memory writes exceed the allocated buffer boundaries. This memory corruption allows attackers to overwrite critical memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities for code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8096 extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass significant security risks for end users and organizations relying on Picasa for image management. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through social engineering campaigns that distribute malicious jpeg files, which when opened by victims using the vulnerable Picasa versions, automatically trigger the exploit without requiring user interaction beyond opening the image. The vulnerability affects users across multiple platforms where Picasa was installed, creating a wide attack surface that could be exploited at scale. Organizations using Picasa for image processing, document management, or digital asset storage face potential compromise of their systems, as the successful exploitation could lead to complete system takeover. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability means that memory corruption can affect application stability and potentially provide attackers with opportunities for privilege escalation or information disclosure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8096 primarily involve immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by Google, as well as administrative controls to prevent exploitation. Users should upgrade to Picasa version 3.9.141 or later, which contains fixes for the integer overflow conditions. Additionally, organizations should implement network-based controls such as content filtering to block potentially malicious jpeg files, particularly those from untrusted sources. Security administrators should also consider disabling automatic image preview features in applications that may be vulnerable to similar exploitation patterns. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper integer validation and memory management in image processing applications, emphasizing the need for robust input validation and bounds checking. Organizations should also implement regular security assessments of their software inventory to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities that may exist in other image processing or multimedia applications.