CVE-2016-3183 in OpenJPEG
Summary
by MITRE
The sycc422_t_rgb function in common/color.c in OpenJPEG before 2.1.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via a crafted jpeg2000 file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-3183 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within the OpenJPEG library's color conversion functionality. This issue exists in the sycc422_t_rgb function located in the common/color.c file and affects all versions prior to 2.1.1. The vulnerability arises when processing specially crafted jpeg2000 files that exploit improper bounds checking during color space conversion operations. Attackers can leverage this weakness to trigger memory access violations that result in denial of service conditions, effectively crashing applications that utilize the vulnerable OpenJPEG library.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the color conversion pipeline. When the sycc422_t_rgb function processes jpeg2000 data containing malformed color component information, it fails to properly validate array indices before accessing memory locations. This flaw falls under the CWE-129 vulnerability category, which specifically addresses insufficient bounds checking in array access operations. The function processes color data without adequate safeguards against maliciously constructed jpeg2000 files that contain unexpected or oversized color component values, leading to memory access beyond allocated buffers.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-3183 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise system stability and availability. Applications that integrate OpenJPEG for image processing, including web servers, image viewers, and document management systems, become vulnerable to exploitation. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause applications to crash repeatedly, leading to service disruption and potential denial of service for legitimate users. The attack vector requires only the delivery of a malicious jpeg2000 file to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users can upload or download image files. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion or application crashes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate remediation through version updates to OpenJPEG 2.1.1 or later releases where the bounds checking has been properly implemented. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems and applications that utilize OpenJPEG libraries, particularly those handling user-uploaded content or processing external image files. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation filters that reject jpeg2000 files with suspicious characteristics, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and establishing robust application sandboxing to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning processes to identify systems running vulnerable versions of OpenJPEG and ensure comprehensive patch management protocols are in place to prevent similar vulnerabilities from occurring in the future.