CVE-2016-7536 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
magick/profile.c in ImageMagick allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (segmentation fault) via a crafted profile.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-7536 resides within the ImageMagick image processing library, specifically in the magick/profile.c file. This flaw represents a classic buffer over-read condition that occurs when the software processes specially crafted image profiles. The vulnerability manifests as a segmentation fault during the profile handling process, effectively causing a denial of service condition that can be exploited remotely by attackers. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the profile parsing routines, allowing maliciously formatted profile data to trigger unexpected behavior in the memory management subsystem.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a malicious image file containing malformed profile data that, when processed by ImageMagick, causes the application to attempt accessing memory beyond allocated boundaries. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to system instability and potential information disclosure. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because ImageMagick is widely deployed across various platforms and applications, making it a prime target for remote exploitation. Attackers can leverage this weakness through web applications, email servers, or any system that processes user-uploaded images without proper sanitization.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for organizations relying on ImageMagick for image processing tasks. The denial of service condition can disrupt services for extended periods, potentially leading to complete system unavailability depending on the deployment architecture. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web environments where image uploads are common, as it can be exploited through simple file uploads without requiring authentication or complex attack vectors. The flaw demonstrates how image processing libraries can become attack surfaces that compromise entire application stacks, especially when used in high-traffic environments where continuous availability is critical.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-7536 should focus on immediate patching of affected ImageMagick installations, as the vendor released updates that address the profile parsing logic and implement proper boundary checks. Organizations should also implement strict input validation and sanitization measures for all image uploads, including the use of whitelist-based file type validation and automated scanning for potentially malicious content. Network-based defenses such as web application firewalls can help detect and block exploitation attempts, while application-level protections should include sandboxing image processing operations and implementing resource limits to prevent complete system exhaustion. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and vulnerability management programs that can identify and remediate similar issues before they can be exploited in the wild.