CVE-2016-5841 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in MagickCore/profile.c in ImageMagick before 7.0.2-1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) or possibly execute arbitrary code via vectors involving the offset variable.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5841 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within ImageMagick's MagickCore library, specifically in the profile.c file. This issue affects versions prior to 7.0.2-1 and demonstrates how seemingly minor programming errors can lead to severe security implications. The vulnerability occurs when processing image profiles, particularly when handling the offset variable during profile data parsing operations. The integer overflow condition arises from insufficient input validation and proper boundary checking during the manipulation of profile data structures, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted image files can trigger unexpected behavior in the application's memory management systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the improper handling of integer values within the profile processing pipeline, where the offset variable becomes corrupted due to overflow conditions. When ImageMagick attempts to process image files containing specially crafted profile data, the integer overflow causes the application to allocate incorrect memory regions or access invalid memory addresses. This misbehavior manifests as either a segmentation fault leading to denial of service or potentially allows for arbitrary code execution depending on the specific memory corruption patterns. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is classified as a common weakness in software security practices. The flaw specifically targets the memory management aspects of image processing applications, making it particularly dangerous in environments where untrusted image files are processed.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-5841 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable remote code execution, making it a significant concern for web applications and services that process user-uploaded images. Attackers can craft malicious image files that, when processed by vulnerable ImageMagick installations, will trigger the integer overflow condition and potentially allow for privilege escalation or system compromise. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in web environments where ImageMagick is used for image processing, as it can be exploited through simple file uploads without requiring additional user interaction or authentication. The attack surface includes content management systems, image hosting services, and any application that relies on ImageMagick for image manipulation and processing tasks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-5841 primarily focus on immediate version updates to ImageMagick 7.0.2-1 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the integer overflow condition in profile.c. Organizations should also implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures for all image processing workflows, particularly when handling files from untrusted sources. Network-level defenses can include implementing image processing restrictions and limiting the types of image formats that can be processed, though this approach may impact functionality. Additionally, deployment of intrusion detection systems and monitoring for unusual memory access patterns or segmentation faults can help identify exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper integer handling and boundary checking in security-critical applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, where the exploitation may involve command execution through corrupted memory states. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms and privilege separation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, ensuring that even if an attacker can trigger the vulnerability, the overall system compromise remains limited.