CVE-2016-10070 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the CalcMinMax function in coders/mat.c in ImageMagick before 6.9.4-0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read and application crash) via a crafted mat file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10070 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting ImageMagick's handling of mat files through the CalcMinMax function in coders/mat.c. This flaw exists in ImageMagick versions prior to 6.9.4-0 and enables remote attackers to execute malicious code that results in denial of service conditions including out-of-bounds reads and application crashes. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the mathematical file format processing component of the image manipulation library. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious mat files that trigger the buffer overflow during the calculation of minimum and maximum values for image data processing. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability indicates that the overflow occurs in dynamically allocated memory regions, potentially allowing for more sophisticated exploitation techniques beyond simple denial of service. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a critical weakness in memory safety. The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability as it can be leveraged to cause system-wide denial of service conditions in environments where ImageMagick is used for processing untrusted image files. Organizations relying on ImageMagick for image processing, particularly in web applications or file upload systems, face significant risk from this vulnerability. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a privilege escalation technique through software exploitation, specifically targeting the execution phase where malicious code can be injected into the application's memory space. The vulnerability affects ImageMagick's core functionality when processing MATLAB mat files, which are commonly used for scientific computing and data analysis. When a malicious mat file is processed, the CalcMinMax function fails to properly validate array bounds, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause application termination. The out-of-bounds read behavior suggests that the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data or enabling further exploitation techniques. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in image processing libraries, as the flaw exists in the fundamental file parsing mechanism that handles scientific data formats. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need local access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing applications. Organizations using ImageMagick for processing user-uploaded files or in automated image processing workflows should prioritize immediate patching to prevent exploitation. The fix implemented in ImageMagick 6.9.4-0 involved strengthening input validation and memory boundary checks within the CalcMinMax function to prevent heap corruption during mat file processing. This vulnerability highlights the broader security implications of image processing libraries, as similar flaws can exist in other components handling various file formats. The security community has documented similar vulnerabilities in other image processing libraries, emphasizing the need for robust memory safety practices in multimedia processing applications. Proper sandboxing and input validation mechanisms should be implemented to mitigate risks associated with processing untrusted image files. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security updates and vulnerability assessments in software supply chains where image processing libraries are commonly integrated. System administrators should monitor for exploitation attempts and implement network-level protections to prevent unauthorized access to systems processing potentially malicious image files. The remediation process requires careful testing of patched versions to ensure that legitimate mat file processing continues to function correctly while eliminating the buffer overflow vulnerability.