CVE-2016-2317 in GraphicsMagick
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in GraphicsMagick 1.3.23 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted SVG file, related to the (1) TracePoint function in magick/render.c, (2) GetToken function in magick/utility.c, and (3) GetTransformTokens function in coders/svg.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-2317 represents a critical buffer overflow issue within GraphicsMagick version 1.3.23 that exposes systems to remote code execution and denial of service attacks. This vulnerability stems from improper memory management in three distinct functions that process Scalable Vector Graphics files, making it particularly dangerous for applications that process untrusted image content. The affected functions include TracePoint in magick/render.c, GetToken in magick/utility.c, and GetTransformTokens in coders/svg.c, all of which handle different aspects of SVG parsing and rendering operations.
The technical flaw manifests when GraphicsMagick processes maliciously crafted SVG files that contain oversized or malformed data structures within the targeted functions. These buffer overflows occur due to insufficient bounds checking and inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize user-supplied data before processing. When the vulnerable code attempts to write data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, it results in memory corruption that can lead to application crashes, segmentation faults, or potentially arbitrary code execution depending on the system configuration and memory layout. The vulnerability operates at the application level, requiring no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly attractive to attackers seeking to compromise systems that process image files.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-2317 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can be leveraged to cause significant system instability and potential privilege escalation in vulnerable environments. Systems that automatically process or convert SVG files, such as web applications, content management systems, image processing servers, and automated workflow systems, become prime targets for exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in web-facing applications where SVG files are uploaded or processed without proper sanitization, as it allows attackers to remotely crash services and potentially gain unauthorized access to system resources. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-2317 require immediate patching of GraphicsMagick installations to version 1.3.24 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the identified buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures that sanitize all SVG content before processing, including implementing strict size limits and format validation. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems and web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious SVG files before they reach vulnerable systems. Additionally, implementing proper memory protection mechanisms including stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and non-executable stack protections can help mitigate the potential impact of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and maintaining up-to-date software libraries, as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's software supply chain attack patterns, where vulnerabilities in third-party components can be leveraged to compromise entire systems.