CVE-2016-10064 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in coders/tiff.c in ImageMagick before 6.9.5-1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or have other unspecified impact via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10064 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the ImageMagick image processing library, specifically in the coders/tiff.c component that handles tiff file format decoding. This flaw exists in ImageMagick versions prior to 6.9.5-1, making a substantial portion of the user base susceptible to exploitation. The buffer overflow occurs during the parsing of crafted tiff files, where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute malicious code or cause system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the tiff file parser, which fails to adequately validate the size and structure of incoming data before attempting to copy or process it into fixed-size memory buffers. When a maliciously crafted tiff file is processed by the vulnerable ImageMagick library, the parser attempts to write data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in memory corruption that can trigger application crashes or potentially allow for arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and more broadly aligns with CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can potentially enable remote code execution depending on the target system configuration and memory layout. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by uploading or delivering a specially crafted tiff file to systems running vulnerable versions of ImageMagick, which may be used in web applications, content management systems, or any environment where image processing is performed. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in web environments where users can upload files, as it allows attackers to compromise systems without requiring authentication or elevated privileges. This aligns with the attack technique described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1203, which covers exploitation of vulnerabilities in software components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10064 primarily focus on immediate version updates to ImageMagick 6.9.5-1 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement strict file validation and sanitization processes, particularly for image uploads in web applications, by verifying file signatures, implementing content type checks, and employing sandboxed processing environments. Network-level defenses can include implementing file type restrictions, using web application firewalls to filter suspicious file uploads, and deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for exploitation attempts. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing principle of least privilege, ensuring that ImageMagick processes run with minimal required permissions and that file processing occurs in isolated environments to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.