CVE-2016-7527 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
coders/wpg.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-2016-7527 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within ImageMagick's WPG (Word Perfect Graphics) file format decoder. This vulnerability exists in the coders/wpg.c component of the ImageMagick software suite, which is widely used for image processing and manipulation across numerous applications and systems. The flaw specifically manifests when the software attempts to parse maliciously crafted WPG files, leading to unauthorized memory access patterns that can trigger system instability and denial of service conditions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the WPG file parser. When ImageMagick encounters a specially crafted WPG file, the decoder fails to properly validate the file structure and memory offsets, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory pointers beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of inputs, and is classified as a memory safety issue within the context of the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and denial of service tactics. The out-of-bounds read occurs during the file format parsing phase, where the software attempts to access memory locations that have not been properly validated or allocated.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7527 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can potentially be exploited to reveal sensitive memory contents, which may include system information, cryptographic keys, or other confidential data. This vulnerability affects numerous systems that rely on ImageMagick for image processing, including web applications, content management systems, and server-side image handling services. Attackers can leverage this flaw by uploading malicious WPG files to vulnerable systems, causing the application to crash or behave unpredictably, effectively disrupting service availability for legitimate users. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in web environments where users can upload files, as it enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks without requiring authentication or elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7527 should focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by ImageMagick maintainers, as well as implementing defensive measures such as input validation and file type restrictions. Organizations should deploy network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file upload activities and consider implementing sandboxing techniques for image processing operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management and input validation in multimedia processing libraries, aligning with ATT&CK's defense evasion and execution techniques. System administrators should also consider implementing file extension filtering and content type validation to prevent the processing of potentially malicious WPG files, while monitoring for unusual memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar memory safety issues in other image processing components and third-party libraries that may be susceptible to similar out-of-bounds read conditions.