CVE-2016-7519 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
The ReadRLEImage function in coders/rle.c in ImageMagick allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7519 resides within the ImageMagick image processing library, specifically in the ReadRLEImage function located in the coders/rle.c file. This flaw represents a classic out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when processing Run-Length Encoded image files, making it particularly dangerous for systems that process untrusted image content. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read, which is a fundamental memory safety issue that can lead to system instability and potential exploitation. The flaw demonstrates how image processing libraries can become attack vectors when they fail to properly validate input data structures, particularly when dealing with compressed or encoded image formats that rely on specific data patterns.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the ReadRLEImage function failing to properly validate the bounds of data reads when processing Run-Length Encoded image data. When a maliciously crafted RLE file is processed, the function attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in an out-of-bounds read operation. This condition can occur because the function does not adequately check the length of data segments or verify that the encoded data structure conforms to expected formats before attempting to parse it. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through remote file processing, meaning that an attacker could upload or deliver a malicious image file that, when processed by ImageMagick, would cause the out-of-bounds read to occur. This makes the vulnerability exploitable in web applications, file processing services, and any system that relies on ImageMagick for image handling without proper input validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7519 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can potentially lead to more severe consequences in environments where ImageMagick is used extensively. Systems that process large volumes of user-uploaded images, such as social media platforms, content management systems, and file sharing services, become particularly vulnerable to this attack vector. When exploited, the out-of-bounds read can cause application crashes, leading to denial of service for legitimate users, or in more sophisticated attack scenarios, could potentially be leveraged to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of ImageMagick and can be exploited through various attack vectors including web application uploads, automated image processing workflows, and file processing services. The impact is particularly severe in cloud environments where image processing is a common service, as a single malicious file could potentially disrupt service availability for all users of that system. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 as a form of service denial, and can contribute to broader attack chains when combined with other vulnerabilities in the same processing pipeline.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7519 focus on both immediate patching and defensive programming practices. The most effective immediate solution is to upgrade to ImageMagick versions that contain the fix for this vulnerability, which was released as part of the regular security updates. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization processes, particularly for image files processed through ImageMagick, by using file type detection, size limitations, and format validation before attempting to process any image content. Additionally, implementing sandboxing mechanisms and restricted execution environments for image processing can significantly reduce the impact of such vulnerabilities. The use of privilege separation and limiting the resources available to image processing components can also help contain potential exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual processing patterns and memory access violations that could indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning and regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar issues in their image processing pipelines. The vulnerability underscores the importance of memory safety in image processing libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive input validation in all file format handling components, particularly those that decode compressed or encoded data structures.