CVE-2016-7529 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
coders/xcf.c in ImageMagick allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via a crafted XCF file.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7529 represents a critical out-of-bounds read flaw within ImageMagick's XCF file handling component. This issue resides in the coders/xcf.c file which processes eXperimental Color Format files commonly used by the GIMP image editing software. The vulnerability manifests when ImageMagick processes maliciously crafted XCF files, leading to unauthorized memory access patterns that can result in application instability and potential system compromise. This flaw specifically affects the XCF file format parser within the broader ImageMagick library ecosystem, which is widely deployed across various operating systems and applications for image processing tasks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory boundary checking within the XCF file parser. When a malicious XCF file is processed, the parser fails to properly validate array indices or buffer boundaries before accessing memory locations. This allows attackers to craft XCF files containing malformed data structures that trigger out-of-bounds memory reads during the image decoding process. The flaw operates at the level of the image processing pipeline where raw file data is interpreted and converted into memory structures for further manipulation. According to CWE-129, this vulnerability maps to improper validation of array indices, while the ATT&CK framework categorizes this under privilege escalation and denial of service techniques through code injection vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-7529 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors when combined with other vulnerabilities or when exploited in specific contexts. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to cause applications using ImageMagick to crash or behave unpredictably, effectively creating a denial of service condition that impacts availability of image processing services. In web environments where ImageMagick is used for automated image processing, this vulnerability can be exploited through file uploads or direct processing of malicious content, potentially affecting web applications, content management systems, and cloud services that rely on ImageMagick for image handling operations. The vulnerability affects numerous applications including but not limited to web servers, image processing pipelines, and automated content filtering systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7529 should prioritize immediate patching of affected ImageMagick installations to the latest versions that contain the necessary fixes for the XCF file parser. System administrators should implement strict input validation and sanitization for all file uploads, particularly for image formats that utilize ImageMagick's processing capabilities. Network-level controls including firewall rules and content filtering systems can be configured to restrict access to known malicious file types or to implement sandboxed processing environments for untrusted image files. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that limit which applications can execute ImageMagick processing functions and establish monitoring procedures to detect unusual processing patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in image processing libraries, aligning with industry best practices for secure coding standards and the principle of least privilege in software design.