CVE-2016-3616 in libjpeg
Summary
by MITRE
The cjpeg utility in libjpeg allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and application crash) or execute arbitrary code via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2020
The cjpeg utility within the libjpeg library presents a critical security vulnerability that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or induce denial of service conditions through manipulation of input files. This vulnerability stems from improper handling of malformed image data during the JPEG compression process, specifically when processing crafted files that contain maliciously constructed headers or metadata. The flaw manifests as a NULL pointer dereference that occurs during the parsing of corrupted input data, leading to application crashes or potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of the library.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the cjpeg utility's failure to properly validate input parameters before attempting to process image data. When the utility encounters malformed JPEG files containing specially crafted sequences in their headers or compression parameters, it attempts to access memory locations that have not been properly initialized or allocated. This NULL pointer dereference represents a classic software bug pattern that can be exploited through buffer overflow techniques or memory corruption attacks. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal file processing operations, making it accessible to attackers who can simply provide a malicious file to the application.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems that rely on libjpeg for image processing tasks, including web servers, image processing applications, and any software that handles user-uploaded images. Attackers can leverage this flaw to remotely compromise systems by uploading malicious JPEG files that trigger the NULL pointer dereference during processing. The potential impact extends beyond simple denial of service to full system compromise, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking persistent access to target systems.
Security professionals should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of libjpeg that address the NULL pointer dereference issue, implementing input validation controls for image files, and deploying network segmentation to limit exposure. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-476 which describes NULL pointer dereference conditions, and represents a common attack vector that maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including execution through file processing and privilege escalation via memory corruption. Organizations should also consider implementing automated scanning for vulnerable libraries and establishing incident response procedures for handling potential exploitation attempts. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls to filter malicious file uploads and configuring applications to sanitize image data before processing, thereby reducing the attack surface and preventing successful exploitation of this vulnerability.