CVE-2016-10164 in libXpm
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in libXpm before 3.5.12, when a program requests parsing XPM extensions on a 64-bit platform, allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds write) or execute arbitrary code via (1) the number of extensions or (2) their concatenated length in a crafted XPM file, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10164 represents a critical security flaw within the libXpm library version 3.5.11 and earlier, which serves as a crucial component for handling XPM image format parsing in Unix-like operating systems. This library forms part of the X Window System ecosystem and is widely utilized by various graphical applications that require pixmap image handling. The flaw manifests specifically when processing XPM extensions on 64-bit platforms, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to either cause system denial of service or potentially execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from integer overflow conditions that occur during the parsing of XPM extension data structures. When a maliciously crafted XPM file is processed, the library fails to properly validate the number of extensions or their concatenated length values, leading to arithmetic overflow conditions that result in heap-based buffer overflows. The vulnerability specifically targets the way the library handles integer calculations when determining buffer sizes for extension data processing. These integer overflows occur because the library performs mathematical operations on extension count and length values without proper bounds checking or overflow detection mechanisms, causing the calculated buffer sizes to exceed the actual allocated memory boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities, making it particularly dangerous in environments where untrusted XPM files might be processed automatically. Attackers can craft malicious XPM files that contain carefully manipulated extension parameters to trigger the integer overflow conditions, which then lead to out-of-bounds memory writes that can corrupt program execution flow. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited remotely through any application that utilizes libXpm for image processing, including web browsers, image viewers, and desktop applications that support XPM format. The heap-based buffer overflow conditions create opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory contents in ways that could lead to arbitrary code execution, especially when combined with other exploit techniques.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics that map to several ATT&CK tactics including privilege escalation and execution through malicious file processing. Organizations utilizing systems that depend on libXpm for image handling should prioritize immediate patching to version 3.5.12 or later, which includes proper integer overflow protections and bounds checking mechanisms. The mitigation strategy involves not only updating the library but also implementing additional input validation measures for any applications that process external XPM files. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts and consider implementing network-based restrictions on XPM file processing where possible. The fix implemented in libXpm 3.5.12 includes comprehensive integer overflow protection mechanisms that prevent the arithmetic operations from producing invalid buffer size calculations, thereby eliminating the conditions that led to the heap-based buffer overflow vulnerabilities.