CVE-2016-10146 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple memory leaks in the caption and label handling code in ImageMagick allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10146 represents a critical memory management issue within ImageMagick's caption and label handling subsystems. This flaw manifests as multiple memory leaks that occur during the processing of image metadata, specifically when handling caption and label elements within various image formats. The vulnerability affects ImageMagick versions prior to 6.9.3-10 and 7.0.1-1, making it a widespread concern across numerous deployments that rely on this popular image processing library. The memory leaks are particularly concerning because they accumulate over time, leading to progressive memory consumption that can ultimately result in system instability or complete denial of service conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient memory management within ImageMagick's image processing pipeline, specifically in how the software handles textual metadata elements such as captions and labels that are embedded within image files. When processing images containing maliciously crafted caption or label data, the software fails to properly release allocated memory blocks, causing memory leaks that compound with each processed image. This issue is particularly insidious because it can be triggered through normal image processing operations without requiring any special privileges or complex attack vectors, making it accessible to remote attackers who can simply upload or process specially crafted images. The vulnerability operates at the application level within the image processing stack, affecting both the core library functionality and any applications that depend on ImageMagick for image manipulation tasks.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10146 extends beyond simple resource exhaustion, as it can severely disrupt services that rely on ImageMagick for image processing. In web applications, this vulnerability can be exploited to consume server memory resources rapidly, potentially leading to service disruption for legitimate users and making systems unavailable for processing new image requests. The vulnerability particularly affects content management systems, image hosting services, and any platform that accepts user-uploaded images without proper sanitization. From a security perspective, this represents a classic denial of service attack vector that can be executed remotely, requiring minimal skill or resources to implement. The memory leak behavior creates a gradual degradation of system performance that can be difficult to detect until it reaches critical levels, making it an effective tool for attackers seeking to disrupt services without leaving obvious traces.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10146 focus primarily on updating ImageMagick to patched versions that address the memory management issues in caption and label handling code. System administrators should immediately upgrade to ImageMagick 6.9.3-10 or later versions, or 7.0.1-1 and subsequent releases that contain the necessary fixes. Additionally, implementing input validation and sanitization measures can help reduce the attack surface by limiting the types of image files that are processed or by imposing resource limits on image processing operations. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual memory consumption patterns, which could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-401, which catalogs memory leak issues in software systems, and represents a specific instance of how improper memory management can lead to denial of service conditions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique for avoiding detection through resource exhaustion, making it a preferred method for attackers seeking to disrupt services without triggering traditional security alerts.