CVE-2016-10092 in LibTIFF
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the readContigStripsIntoBuffer function in tif_unix.c in LibTIFF 4.0.7 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via a crafted image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10092 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the LibTIFF library version 4.0.7, specifically within the readContigStripsIntoBuffer function located in the tif_unix.c source file. This flaw manifests when processing TIFF image files, creating a potential remote code execution vector that could be exploited by attackers who craft malicious image files. The vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during the processing of contiguous image strips, allowing an attacker to write beyond the allocated heap buffer boundaries. Such buffer overflow conditions are particularly dangerous as they can lead to memory corruption that may be leveraged for arbitrary code execution or denial of service attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of image data structures during the reading process of TIFF files. When the readContigStripsIntoBuffer function processes image strips, it fails to validate the size of data being copied into the allocated buffer, enabling attackers to craft TIFF files with malformed strip data that exceeds the intended buffer capacity. This particular flaw falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, which is classified as a critical weakness in memory safety. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple memory corruption as it can be exploited through various attack vectors including web applications, email clients, and image processing software that utilize LibTIFF for TIFF file handling. The remote exploitation capability means that an attacker could deliver a malicious TIFF file through network-based delivery mechanisms without requiring local access to the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10092 is substantial across multiple domains including web applications, content management systems, and image processing platforms that rely on LibTIFF for TIFF file handling. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or service disruption. The vulnerability's presence in widely-used software libraries means that numerous applications and platforms could be affected, creating a broad attack surface. Security analysts should note that this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as it enables attackers to execute malicious code through compromised applications. The flaw's exploitation requires minimal user interaction since it can be triggered automatically when a vulnerable application processes the malicious TIFF file, making it particularly dangerous in automated attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10092 primarily involve immediate patching of affected LibTIFF installations to version 4.0.8 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems using vulnerable LibTIFF versions and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly. Network-based mitigation measures such as implementing file type validation and content inspection can provide additional protection layers, particularly for web applications that process user-uploaded images. Security controls should include monitoring for suspicious file processing activities and implementing strict file validation procedures that reject TIFF files with malformed structures. The fix implemented in LibTIFF 4.0.8 addresses the root cause by introducing proper bounds checking and input validation within the readContigStripsIntoBuffer function, ensuring that data copied into heap buffers does not exceed allocated memory boundaries. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, as these measures can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities in the future.