CVE-2016-4797 in OpenJPEG
Summary
by MITRE
Divide-by-zero vulnerability in the opj_tcd_init_tile function in tcd.c in OpenJPEG before 2.1.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted jp2 file. NOTE: this issue exists because of an incorrect fix for CVE-2014-7947.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-4797 represents a critical divide-by-zero error within the OpenJPEG library's tile coding component, specifically affecting the opj_tcd_init_tile function in the tcd.c source file. This flaw exists in OpenJPEG versions prior to 2.1.1 and demonstrates how remediation efforts for one vulnerability can inadvertently introduce new security weaknesses. The issue manifests when processing specially crafted jp2 files that exploit a mathematical division operation by zero, causing the target application to crash and resulting in a denial of service condition. This vulnerability is particularly concerning because it was introduced as part of a flawed fix for CVE-2014-7947, highlighting the complexity and potential risks associated with security patch development and the importance of thorough regression testing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the tile coding initialization process where the software fails to properly validate denominator values before performing division operations. When a maliciously crafted jp2 file is processed, the opj_tcd_init_tile function encounters a scenario where a zero value is used as a divisor, leading to an arithmetic exception that terminates the application process. This divide-by-zero condition occurs during the tile decomposition phase of JPEG 2000 file processing, where the library attempts to calculate tile parameters based on malformed input data. The vulnerability specifically impacts the library's ability to handle edge cases in tile dimension calculations, where the mathematical operations assume non-zero values for certain parameters that may be derived from user-supplied data.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability creates significant risks for applications that utilize OpenJPEG for image processing, particularly those handling untrusted input from external sources. Attackers can exploit this weakness by preparing a malicious jp2 file that triggers the divide-by-zero condition during normal file parsing operations, leading to application instability and service disruption. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service as it can be leveraged in broader attack scenarios where multiple applications relying on OpenJPEG might be compromised simultaneously. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications, image processing servers, and any system that accepts and processes JPEG 2000 formatted images from unknown sources, making it a prime target for exploitation in environments where input sanitization is insufficient.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-4797 primarily focus on upgrading to OpenJPEG version 2.1.1 or later, which contains the proper fix for this divide-by-zero condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems utilizing OpenJPEG are updated promptly, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication. Additionally, input validation measures should be strengthened at application layers that utilize OpenJPEG, including implementing proper error handling for file processing operations and monitoring for unusual file processing patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems that process external image files, while maintaining detailed logging of file processing activities to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-369, which specifically addresses divide-by-zero errors in software implementations, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for denial of service attacks through application crashes.