CVE-2016-10267 in LibTIFF
Summary
by MITRE
LibTIFF 4.0.7 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (divide-by-zero error and application crash) via a crafted TIFF image, related to libtiff/tif_ojpeg.c:816:8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/15/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10267 affects LibTIFF version 4.0.7 and represents a critical denial of service flaw that can be exploited remotely through maliciously crafted TIFF image files. This vulnerability specifically resides within the libtiff/tif_ojpeg.c source file at line 816, where a divide-by-zero error occurs during the processing of improperly formatted image data. The flaw demonstrates how image parsing libraries can be manipulated to crash applications that rely on them for file handling operations, creating a pathway for attackers to disrupt system availability and service continuity.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the JPEG compression handling code of the LibTIFF library. When a malformed TIFF image containing specific JPEG compression parameters is processed, the code attempts to perform a division operation with a zero value, resulting in an arithmetic exception that terminates the application process. This type of error falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of CWE-369, which specifically addresses the issue of divide-by-zero conditions that can lead to application crashes and system instability. The vulnerability represents a classic example of how improper error handling in multimedia processing libraries can be exploited to create denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass broader security and availability concerns. Systems that process TIFF images from untrusted sources, such as web applications, document management systems, and digital asset management platforms, become vulnerable to this attack vector. When exploited successfully, the vulnerability can cause cascading failures across multiple applications that depend on LibTIFF for image processing, potentially affecting entire service chains and creating widespread disruption. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can trigger the vulnerability without requiring physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where image files are frequently processed and shared.
Organizations utilizing LibTIFF 4.0.7 should implement immediate mitigations to protect their systems from exploitation of this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to a patched version of LibTIFF that addresses the divide-by-zero error in the JPEG compression handling code. Additionally, administrators should consider implementing input validation measures that filter or reject suspicious TIFF files before they reach the processing layer. From an operational security perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks targeting application availability. The attack surface can be reduced by implementing proper sandboxing mechanisms for image processing and employing automated scanning tools that can detect and quarantine potentially malicious image files before they can be processed by vulnerable applications.