CVE-2016-5842 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
MagickCore/property.c in ImageMagick before 7.0.2-1 allows remote attackers to obtain sensitive memory information via vectors involving the q variable, which triggers an out-of-bounds read.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-5842 represents a critical memory safety issue within ImageMagick's MagickCore library, specifically in the property.c file. This flaw affects versions prior to 7.0.2-1 and exposes systems to remote exploitation where attackers can leverage memory read operations to extract sensitive information from system memory. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of the q variable during memory access operations, creating conditions where out-of-bounds reads can occur and potentially reveal confidential data stored in adjacent memory locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic out-of-bounds memory read condition that occurs when processing image properties within the ImageMagick framework. The q variable, which serves as a pointer or index during property handling operations, is not properly validated against array boundaries before memory access. This allows attackers to manipulate input data in such a way that the q variable references memory locations beyond the intended buffer boundaries, enabling the extraction of arbitrary memory contents including potentially sensitive information such as authentication tokens, cryptographic keys, or other confidential data stored in adjacent memory segments.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to systems running vulnerable versions of ImageMagick, particularly those exposed to untrusted input through web applications, file upload mechanisms, or image processing services. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this flaw without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in environments where image processing is a common operation. The impact extends beyond simple information disclosure, as the extracted memory contents could potentially contain credentials, session tokens, or other sensitive data that could be leveraged for further attacks within the compromised environment.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as attackers may use the extracted information to conduct more sophisticated attacks. The flaw also relates to broader security concerns around memory safety and buffer overflows that have been extensively documented in cybersecurity literature and represent fundamental weaknesses in software development practices. Organizations utilizing ImageMagick for image processing must prioritize immediate patching to address this vulnerability, as the potential for sensitive data exposure creates substantial risk to system integrity and data confidentiality.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate deployment of the patched ImageMagick version 7.0.2-1 or later, along with implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures for all image processing operations. Network segmentation and access controls should be reinforced to limit exposure of systems running vulnerable versions, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual memory access patterns or unexpected data retrieval operations. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems utilizing affected versions of ImageMagick and ensure proper security controls are in place to prevent unauthorized access to image processing capabilities that could be exploited through this memory safety flaw.