CVE-2016-10167 in GD Graphics Library
Summary
by MITRE
The gdImageCreateFromGd2Ctx function in gd_gd2.c in the GD Graphics Library (aka libgd) before 2.2.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted image file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2020
The gd Graphics Library serves as a fundamental component for image processing in numerous web applications and systems, providing essential functionality for creating and manipulating graphics. This library forms the backbone of many content management systems, web applications, and server-side image processing tools. The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10167 specifically targets the gdImageCreateFromGd2Ctx function within the gd_gd2.c source file, which handles the parsing of GD2 image format files. This particular function is responsible for reading and interpreting GD2 format image data, making it a critical entry point for image processing operations. The flaw exists in versions prior to 2.2.4, indicating that a significant portion of systems relying on libgd would have been exposed to this vulnerability without proper patching.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory handling within the image parsing routine. When the gdImageCreateFromGd2Ctx function processes a malformed GD2 image file, it fails to properly validate the structure and content of the input data. This deficiency leads to memory corruption issues during the parsing process, where the application attempts to read or write to invalid memory locations. The vulnerability manifests as a denial of service condition rather than a remote code execution flaw, but it represents a significant security concern for systems that rely on automatic image processing. The crafted image file must contain specific malformed data patterns that trigger buffer overflows or invalid memory access conditions during the parsing phase. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities, both of which are common in image parsing libraries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affect the availability and reliability of image processing services across numerous platforms. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by uploading or delivering a specially crafted GD2 image file to any system that utilizes the vulnerable version of libgd for image processing. This could occur through various attack vectors including file upload functionality, image embedding in web content, or even through automated image processing workflows. The resulting denial of service would cause applications to crash or become unresponsive, potentially leading to complete service outages for systems relying on image processing capabilities. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that accept user-uploaded images, content management systems, and any platform that automatically processes image files without proper sanitization. The impact is amplified in environments where image processing is a core functionality, such as social media platforms, e-commerce sites, or image hosting services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-10167 focus primarily on updating to the patched version of the GD Graphics Library, specifically version 2.2.4 or later. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems utilizing libgd are updated promptly. Additionally, implementing input validation and sanitization measures can provide defense-in-depth protection, including validating image file formats, implementing file size limits, and using content type verification before processing. Network-level controls such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious image files, while application-level sandboxing can limit the impact if a vulnerability is exploited. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual application crashes or service disruptions that might indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1499, which covers endpoint denial of service, and T1071.004, which involves application layer protocol traffic. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning to identify systems running vulnerable versions of libgd and ensure proper remediation through patch deployment. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include verification of patched components to prevent regression vulnerabilities.