CVE-2016-10060 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
The ConcatenateImages function in MagickWand/magick-cli.c in ImageMagick before 7.0.1-10 does not check the return value of the fputc function, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10060 resides within ImageMagick's MagickWand library, specifically in the ConcatenateImages function located in MagickWand/magick-cli.c. This flaw represents a classic case of improper error handling that can be exploited to execute denial of service attacks against applications utilizing ImageMagick's image processing capabilities. The vulnerability affects versions prior to 7.0.1-10, making it a significant concern for systems that rely on older versions of this widely used image processing library. The flaw stems from the function's failure to validate the return value of the fputc system call, which is responsible for writing single characters to output streams.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental programming error where the return value of fputc is ignored, despite this function potentially failing during file operations. When fputc encounters an error condition such as a full disk, permission issues, or other I/O failures, it returns a special value indicating failure. In the context of this vulnerability, if the fputc operation fails during image concatenation operations, the application continues execution without recognizing the error, potentially leading to undefined behavior. This oversight can be particularly dangerous in network-facing applications where crafted malicious files can trigger the vulnerable code path, causing the application to crash or become unresponsive.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10060 extends beyond simple application instability, as it can be leveraged by remote attackers to disrupt services through carefully crafted image files. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-252, which describes "Unchecked Return Value" as a weakness where the return value of a function is not checked for errors, potentially leading to cascading failures. The vulnerability's exploitation typically occurs when an application processes user-supplied image files through ImageMagick's ConcatenateImages function, making it particularly dangerous in web applications, content management systems, or any platform that accepts image uploads. The attack vector is classified as remote since attackers can send malicious files over the network without requiring local access to the target system.
Systems utilizing ImageMagick versions prior to 7.0.1-10 are at risk of experiencing denial of service conditions that can effectively render applications unavailable to legitimate users. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would fall under T1499.004, which describes "Endpoint Denial of Service" through resource exhaustion or application instability. This type of attack can be particularly devastating in cloud environments or web applications where service availability is paramount. The vulnerability's exploitation does not require elevated privileges and can be executed through simple file upload mechanisms, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise. Organizations using vulnerable versions should implement immediate mitigation strategies including version upgrades and input validation measures.
The remediation of this vulnerability requires updating ImageMagick to version 7.0.1-10 or later, where the return value of fputc is properly checked and handled. This update addresses the core issue by ensuring that I/O errors during image processing operations are properly detected and managed. Security administrators should also consider implementing additional defensive measures such as file type validation, size limits, and sandboxing mechanisms to reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper error handling in security-sensitive code, particularly when dealing with external inputs and I/O operations. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify other potential instances of unchecked return values within their codebases and implement automated testing procedures to detect similar issues before they can be exploited in production environments.