CVE-2016-10165 in Java SE
Summary
by MITRE
The Type_MLU_Read function in cmstypes.c in Little CMS (aka lcms2) allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive information or cause a denial of service via an image with a crafted ICC profile, which triggers an out-of-bounds heap read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/04/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10165 affects Little CMS version 2 library, specifically within the Type_MLU_Read function located in cmstypes.c file. This flaw represents a critical security issue that can be exploited by remote attackers through the manipulation of ICC profile data in image files. The vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during the processing of multilingual unicode strings within ICC profiles, which are commonly used for color management in digital imaging applications. When a maliciously crafted ICC profile is processed by the vulnerable library, the function fails to validate array boundaries, leading to memory access violations that can expose sensitive data or cause application crashes.
This security flaw falls under the category of out-of-bounds memory access as classified by CWE-125, which specifically addresses situations where programs read memory locations outside the bounds of allocated buffers. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with heap-based buffer over-read conditions that can be leveraged for information disclosure or denial of service attacks. The attack vector requires that an application utilizing the lcms2 library processes an image file containing a specially crafted ICC profile, making this a common entry point for exploitation in image processing workflows and digital media applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10165 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to include potential information disclosure that could reveal sensitive memory contents to attackers. Systems running applications that process user-supplied images, such as web servers, content management systems, and digital asset management platforms, become vulnerable to this attack. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack paths documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under techniques related to code injection and privilege escalation through software vulnerabilities. Organizations using affected software versions face significant risk as this flaw can be triggered through legitimate image processing operations without requiring special privileges or user interaction.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected systems with updated versions of the Little CMS library that contain proper bounds checking implementations. System administrators should prioritize updating all applications that utilize lcms2 functionality, particularly those handling untrusted image data from external sources. Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation for ICC profile data, deploying network segmentation to limit exposure, and monitoring for suspicious image processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for image processing operations and establishing robust incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in security-critical software components that handle untrusted data from external sources.