CVE-2015-8871 in OpenJPEG
Summary
by MITRE
Use-after-free vulnerability in the opj_j2k_write_mco function in j2k.c in OpenJPEG before 2.1.1 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via unknown vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2022
The CVE-2015-8871 vulnerability represents a critical use-after-free flaw within the OpenJPEG library's JPEG 2000 implementation, specifically within the opj_j2k_write_mco function located in the j2k.c source file. This vulnerability affects versions of OpenJPEG prior to 2.1.1 and constitutes a serious security weakness that could be exploited remotely by attackers. The flaw occurs during the processing of JPEG 2000 formatted image files, where the library fails to properly manage memory allocation and deallocation sequences, creating opportunities for malicious code execution.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within the JPEG 2000 codec implementation. When processing certain malformed or specially crafted JPEG 2000 files, the opj_j2k_write_mco function attempts to access memory that has already been freed, creating a use-after-free condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-416 category, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory conditions in software implementations. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can potentially trigger the flaw through network-based attacks without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in web applications and services that process user-uploaded image files.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-8871 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as the unspecified nature of the potential consequences indicates that attackers could potentially achieve arbitrary code execution, denial of service, or information disclosure. This vulnerability affects any system that utilizes OpenJPEG for processing JPEG 2000 images, including web applications, image processing servers, and multimedia software platforms. The remote attack vector creates significant risk for applications that accept user uploads or process external image sources, as a single malicious file could compromise entire systems. Security researchers have classified this vulnerability as high-risk due to its potential for remote code execution and the widespread adoption of OpenJPEG across various software platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-8871 primarily focus on upgrading to OpenJPEG version 2.1.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the use-after-free condition. System administrators should also implement input validation measures to prevent processing of untrusted JPEG 2000 files, particularly in web applications and services that handle user uploads. Additional protective measures include deploying network segmentation, implementing application whitelisting, and utilizing sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider monitoring for suspicious file processing activities and implementing intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in security-critical libraries and highlights the necessity of regular security updates and vulnerability assessments for all third-party components used in production environments. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as exploitation could potentially enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands through compromised systems.