CVE-2016-10057 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the WriteGROUP4Image function in coders/tiff.c in ImageMagick before 6.9.5-8 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or other unspecified impact via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10057 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within ImageMagick's TIFF image processing pipeline, specifically affecting the WriteGROUP4Image function located in coders/tiff.c. This flaw exists in ImageMagick versions prior to 6.9.5-8, creating a significant security risk for systems that process untrusted image files. The buffer overflow occurs during the handling of TIFF Group 4 compressed images, which are commonly used in fax and document imaging applications. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious TIFF files that trigger memory corruption when processed by the vulnerable software, leading to unpredictable behavior and system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the TIFF coder module. When ImageMagick encounters a specially crafted TIFF file containing malformed Group 4 compression data, the WriteGROUP4Image function fails to properly validate the size parameters of buffer allocations. This allows an attacker to write beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially corrupting adjacent memory regions and causing the application to crash. The flaw aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checking permits writes to memory locations beyond the intended buffer. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory safety issues and image processing protocols, making it particularly dangerous in environments where automated image processing occurs.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10057 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential remote code execution and system compromise. While the primary reported effect is application crash and denial of service, the underlying buffer overflow condition creates opportunities for more sophisticated attacks. Systems utilizing ImageMagick for web applications, file processing services, or automated image conversion workflows become vulnerable to exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in server environments where ImageMagick processes user-uploaded files, as it can be leveraged to disrupt services or potentially gain unauthorized access. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution and T1499 - Endpoint Denial of Service, demonstrating its capability to affect system availability and potentially enable further compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected ImageMagick installations to version 6.9.5-8 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures for all image processing workflows, particularly those handling untrusted content. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit exposure by restricting direct access to vulnerable services. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious image file patterns and implementing regular security assessments of image processing pipelines can provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for image processing operations and establishing robust incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software libraries and implementing defense-in-depth strategies for multimedia processing systems.