CVE-2016-10248 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
The jpc_tsfb_synthesize function in jpc_tsfb.c in JasPer before 1.900.9 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference) via vectors involving an empty sequence.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/08/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10248 affects the JasPer image processing library, specifically within the jpc_tsfb_synthesize function located in jpc_tsfb.c. This flaw represents a classic null pointer dereference issue that can be exploited by remote attackers to trigger a denial of service condition. The vulnerability manifests when processing image data containing an empty sequence, which causes the function to attempt to dereference a null pointer during the synthesis process. JasPer is widely used in various applications for handling jpeg2000 image formats, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for systems that process untrusted image data from external sources. The issue exists in versions prior to 1.900.9, indicating that the developers were aware of the problem and implemented a fix in the subsequent release.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions in software implementations. This weakness occurs when a program attempts to access memory through a pointer that has not been properly initialized or has been set to NULL. In the context of image processing, the jpc_tsfb_synthesize function is responsible for synthesizing transform data during the jpeg2000 decoding process, and when it encounters an empty sequence, the function fails to properly validate the pointer state before attempting to dereference it. The attack vector involves sending specially crafted jpeg2000 image data containing empty sequences to a vulnerable system, which then processes this data through the affected JasPer library, resulting in a crash or denial of service condition.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10248 extends beyond simple service disruption as it can affect a wide range of applications that rely on JasPer for image processing capabilities. Systems including web servers, image processing applications, and multimedia platforms that accept user-uploaded jpeg2000 files become vulnerable to this attack. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors such as web uploads, file processing services, or any application that utilizes the JasPer library without proper input validation. From an attacker perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact method for causing service disruption, as the exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where continuous availability is critical, as a successful attack can render systems unusable until the service is manually restarted or the underlying library is patched.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve upgrading to JasPer version 1.900.9 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the null pointer dereference issue. Organizations should also implement input validation measures to filter out malformed jpeg2000 files before they reach the image processing pipeline. Network-based defenses can include implementing content filtering rules that identify and block suspicious image file patterns, while application-level protections should include proper error handling and graceful degradation mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper pointer validation in image processing libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of edge cases in multimedia handling code. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual service termination patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. From a compliance standpoint, this vulnerability underscores the necessity of maintaining up-to-date third-party libraries and implementing robust vulnerability management processes to prevent similar issues from affecting operational environments.