CVE-2016-10145 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
Off-by-one error in coders/wpg.c in ImageMagick allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via vectors related to a string copy.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10145 represents a critical off-by-one error within the ImageMagick image processing library, specifically in the coders/wpg.c file responsible for handling WPG (Word Perfect Graphics) image format decoding. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-129 category of Improper Validation of Array Index, where the software fails to properly validate input data before using it as an array index or buffer size parameter. The vulnerability arises from insufficient bounds checking during string copy operations, creating a condition where an attacker can manipulate input data to cause memory corruption or arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when ImageMagick processes maliciously crafted WPG files that contain malformed data structures. During the string copy operation within the wpg.c coder, the off-by-one error allows an attacker to write beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations. This memory corruption can lead to various security implications including denial of service through application crashes, or more severely, arbitrary code execution if the attacker can control the overwritten memory contents. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description reflects the potential for multiple attack vectors and outcomes depending on the specific memory layout and execution context.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems that process untrusted image files, particularly web applications, email servers, and file upload systems that utilize ImageMagick for image handling. The remote attack vector means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability without requiring local access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing environments. Attackers can craft malicious WPG files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, trigger the memory corruption and potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application. This vulnerability has been classified under the ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code through client-side image processing applications.
The impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation to include broader security implications for organizations relying on ImageMagick for image processing tasks. Organizations must consider the potential for privilege escalation attacks if the vulnerable application runs with elevated privileges, or for data exfiltration if the memory corruption leads to information disclosure. The vulnerability's presence in a widely-used image processing library means that numerous applications and services across different platforms and technologies could be affected, making it a high-priority issue for security teams. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of ImageMagick to version 6.9.3-7 or later, implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all image file processing, and employing sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing network-based protections such as intrusion detection systems and web application firewalls to detect and block malicious image file uploads.