CVE-2016-4564 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
The DrawImage function in MagickCore/draw.c in ImageMagick before 6.9.4-0 and 7.x before 7.0.1-2 makes an incorrect function call in attempting to locate the next token, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (buffer overflow and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/22/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4564 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within ImageMagick's DrawImage function implementation in the MagickCore/draw.c component. This vulnerability affects versions prior to 6.9.4-0 and 7.x prior to 7.0.1-2, making it a significant concern for systems that process image files through ImageMagick's libraries. The flaw manifests when the function attempts to locate the next token in a crafted file, resulting in an improper function call that leads to memory corruption. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service, as it may potentially enable remote code execution or other unspecified security consequences, depending on the execution environment and exploitation conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the token parsing logic of ImageMagick's drawing operations. When processing specially crafted image files, the DrawImage function fails to properly handle boundary conditions during token extraction, leading to a buffer overflow condition. This occurs because the function does not adequately check array bounds or validate the length of data being processed, allowing an attacker to manipulate the parsing logic through malicious input files. The flaw specifically affects the token location mechanism, where incorrect function calls cause memory corruption that can result in application crashes or potentially more severe consequences. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to memory corruption.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses substantial risks to web applications, file processing services, and any system that utilizes ImageMagick for image manipulation tasks. Attackers can exploit this flaw by uploading or otherwise providing a maliciously crafted image file that triggers the vulnerable code path during the DrawImage operation. The remote exploitation capability makes it particularly dangerous in web environments where users can upload files or where applications process images from untrusted sources. The potential for denial of service means that systems relying on ImageMagick for image processing could experience complete service disruption, while the unspecified other impacts suggest possibilities for privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution in certain configurations. This vulnerability affects a wide range of applications including content management systems, image hosting platforms, and document processing services that depend on ImageMagick for their functionality.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2016-4564 requires immediate patching of affected ImageMagick installations to versions 6.9.4-0 or later and 7.0.1-2 or later, which contain the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement proper input validation and sanitization measures to prevent malicious files from reaching the vulnerable code paths, including restricting file types and implementing file format validation. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing sandboxing techniques and privilege separation can reduce the potential impact if exploitation occurs, as outlined in the attack mitigation strategies defined by the mitre attack framework. Security teams should also consider implementing automated patch management processes to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected systems.