CVE-2016-7533 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
The ReadWPGImage function in coders/wpg.c in ImageMagick allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via a crafted WPG file.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7533 resides within the ImageMagick image processing library, specifically in the ReadWPGImage function located in the coders/wpg.c file. This flaw represents a critical security issue that enables remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks through carefully crafted WPG (WordPerfect Graphics) image files. The vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs when the application processes malformed input data, potentially leading to application crashes or system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the WPG file parsing mechanism. When ImageMagick encounters a specially crafted WPG file, the ReadWPGImage function fails to properly bounds-check array accesses or validate data structures within the file format. This oversight allows an attacker to manipulate the file's internal structure in such a way that the parsing logic attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw operates at the level of image format handling and demonstrates poor defensive programming practices that violate fundamental security principles.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that process untrusted image files, particularly those that utilize ImageMagick as part of their image handling workflows. Attackers can exploit this weakness by uploading or delivering malicious WPG files to systems running vulnerable versions of ImageMagick, potentially causing service disruption or system crashes. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service as the vulnerability could potentially be leveraged in more sophisticated attacks if combined with other exploitation techniques, making it a critical concern for web applications, content management systems, and any environment where user-uploaded images are processed.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation in file format parsers. Security practitioners should note the ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves execution through manipulation of file formats, as this vulnerability could be exploited to gain unauthorized access to systems or disrupt services. Organizations using ImageMagick should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions, implementing strict file format validation, and employing sandboxing techniques to isolate image processing operations. Additionally, network-based defenses such as intrusion prevention systems should be configured to detect and block suspicious file uploads that may contain malicious WPG content.
Mitigation strategies should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to ImageMagick versions that contain patches addressing the specific out-of-bounds read vulnerability. System administrators should also implement comprehensive input validation, file type verification, and content scanning mechanisms to prevent malicious files from entering the processing pipeline. Organizations should consider implementing privilege separation and sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact if exploitation occurs. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar issues in other image processing libraries and components within the system infrastructure.