CVE-2016-8654 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
A heap-buffer overflow vulnerability was found in QMFB code in JPC codec caused by buffer being allocated with too small size. jasper versions before 2.0.0 are affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/28/2023
The heap-buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8654 resides within the QMFB (Quadrature Mirror Filter Bank) code implementation in the JPC codec component of the jasper library. This flaw represents a classic memory safety issue that occurs when applications allocate insufficient buffer space for data processing operations. The vulnerability specifically affects jasper library versions prior to 2.0.0, indicating this was a long-standing issue that persisted across multiple releases before receiving proper remediation. The QMFB code is fundamental to image compression and decompression processes, particularly in jpeg2000 encoding standards, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for multimedia applications that rely on proper memory management during image processing operations.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from improper buffer size calculations within the QMFB implementation where memory allocation occurs with insufficient capacity to handle the expected data volume. This buffer overflow condition allows attackers to write beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially corrupting adjacent memory regions and creating opportunities for arbitrary code execution. The flaw manifests when the codec processes malformed or specially crafted image data that triggers the QMFB processing path with unexpected input parameters. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though in this case the overflow occurs in heap memory rather than stack memory. The memory corruption pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation could enable attackers to execute malicious code through controlled memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8654 extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it creates potential vectors for privilege escalation and system compromise. Applications utilizing the jasper library for image processing, including graphic design software, medical imaging systems, and multimedia frameworks, could be vulnerable to remote code execution when processing untrusted image files. The vulnerability's exploitation requires careful crafting of input data to trigger the specific memory allocation path within the QMFB code, but once activated, the consequences can be severe. Systems that process user-uploaded images or receive image data from untrusted sources face the highest risk, as these scenarios provide the most direct attack vectors for exploitation. The vulnerability's presence in the jpeg2000 codec implementation means that any application relying on this compression standard for image handling could be affected, particularly those in industries where image integrity and security are paramount.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8654 focus primarily on upgrading to jasper version 2.0.0 or later, where the buffer allocation issues have been corrected through proper memory management practices. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems utilizing affected jasper library versions and prioritize patching efforts accordingly. Additional protective measures include implementing input validation controls that sanitize image data before processing, deploying runtime memory protection mechanisms such as address space layout randomization, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect anomalous memory access patterns. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted image processing applications and maintain regular security updates for all multimedia libraries and codecs used in their environments. The remediation process must account for compatibility testing to ensure that the updated jasper library does not introduce regressions in existing image processing workflows.