CVE-2016-5690 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
The ReadDCMImage function in DCM reader in ImageMagick before 6.9.4-5 and 7.x before 7.0.1-7 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via vectors involving the for statement in computing the pixel scaling table.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5690 represents a critical security flaw within ImageMagick's DCM image reader component that affects versions prior to 6.9.4-5 and 7.x prior to 7.0.1-7. This issue resides in the ReadDCMImage function which processes Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) files, a standard format widely used in medical imaging and healthcare systems. The vulnerability manifests through improper handling of the for statement during pixel scaling table computation, creating a potential attack vector for remote adversaries seeking to exploit the system. The unspecified impact nature of this vulnerability suggests it could enable various malicious activities including but not limited to code execution, denial of service, or information disclosure depending on the specific exploitation scenario. The root cause stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the DICOM reader's pixel scaling table calculation logic, which fails to properly handle malformed or maliciously crafted DICOM files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the for loop structure that computes pixel scaling values during DICOM image processing. When an attacker crafts a specially formatted DICOM file containing malformed data within the pixel scaling table computation section, the ReadDCMImage function fails to validate the loop boundaries or data ranges properly. This leads to potential buffer overflows, integer overflows, or other memory corruption issues that could be leveraged by remote attackers. The flaw exists because the software does not adequately check array bounds or validate the size parameters used in the for statement, allowing malicious input to cause unexpected behavior in the memory allocation and data processing routines. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-129 Input Validation and the broader category of CWE-119 Improper Access to Memory, where inadequate bounds checking leads to memory corruption. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, as it allows remote code execution through the processing of malicious image files.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5690 extends significantly across various deployment scenarios where ImageMagick is utilized for image processing, particularly in healthcare environments, web applications, and content management systems. Medical institutions using ImageMagick for DICOM image processing face substantial risk as attackers could exploit this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to medical imaging systems, potentially compromising patient data or disrupting critical healthcare operations. Web applications that process user-uploaded images through ImageMagick are also vulnerable, as attackers could upload malicious DICOM files to trigger the vulnerability during image rendering or processing operations. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for internet-facing services. Organizations may experience service disruption, unauthorized data access, or complete system compromise depending on how the vulnerability is exploited. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description indicates that the vulnerability could potentially enable multiple attack vectors including privilege escalation, information disclosure, or system takeover scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5690 primarily focus on immediate version updates and deployment of patched ImageMagick releases. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to ImageMagick versions 6.9.4-5 or later, or 7.0.1-7 and subsequent releases where the vulnerability has been addressed. Additionally, implementing strict input validation and sanitization measures for all DICOM file processing operations provides an additional layer of defense. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of systems processing DICOM images to trusted networks only. Web applications should implement proper file type validation and content scanning before processing any uploaded images, particularly those from untrusted sources. Security monitoring and logging should be enhanced to detect unusual image processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The implementation of application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques can further reduce the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues within the broader software ecosystem, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper bounds checking and input validation in image processing libraries. Organizations should also consider implementing security patches through automated update mechanisms to ensure timely deployment of security fixes across all affected systems.