CVE-2016-5314 in LibTIFF
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the PixarLogDecode function in tif_pixarlog.c in LibTIFF 4.0.6 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted TIFF image, as demonstrated by overwriting the vgetparent function pointer with rgb2ycbcr.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/21/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5314 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the LibTIFF library version 4.0.6 and earlier, specifically affecting the PixarLogDecode function in the tif_pixarlog.c module. This issue arises from inadequate input validation when processing specially crafted TIFF image files, creating a scenario where maliciously constructed image data can trigger memory corruption during the decoding process. The flaw manifests when the library attempts to parse Pixar Log format TIFF images, which are commonly used in professional imaging workflows and digital content creation environments. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can potentially trigger this condition through network-based delivery mechanisms without requiring local system access.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs within the PixarLogDecode function where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite memory locations including the vgetparent function pointer. This particular function pointer manipulation creates a dangerous condition where the program's execution flow can be altered, potentially leading to application crashes or more severe consequences. The specific overwrite target of rgb2ycbcr function pointer demonstrates the sophisticated nature of this vulnerability, as it allows for precise memory corruption that could be leveraged to achieve arbitrary code execution under certain conditions. The vulnerability operates at the memory management level where the library fails to properly validate the size and structure of input data before attempting to copy or process it, directly violating fundamental security principles of input sanitization and memory bounds checking.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it represents a potential pathway for more serious security compromises within systems that rely on LibTIFF for image processing. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause applications using the affected library to crash unpredictably, leading to service disruption and potential data loss in environments where image processing is critical. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest that under certain circumstances, the memory corruption could enable more sophisticated attacks including privilege escalation or code execution. Systems that process untrusted TIFF image files from external sources, such as web applications, content management systems, or digital asset management platforms, are particularly at risk. The vulnerability affects a wide range of applications including graphic design software, image viewers, and server applications that handle TIFF file processing, making it a significant concern for organizations maintaining digital imaging infrastructure.
Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation by upgrading to LibTIFF version 4.0.7 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this buffer overflow condition. The fix implemented in newer versions involves enhanced input validation and proper bounds checking within the PixarLogDecode function to prevent the memory corruption that enables this vulnerability. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of applications that process TIFF files, particularly those accessible from untrusted networks. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious TIFF file patterns and anomalous application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. This 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 memory corruption vulnerabilities that may be exploited through the ATT&CK framework's execution and denial of service tactics.