CVE-2016-8690 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
The bmp_getdata function in libjasper/bmp/bmp_dec.c in JasPer before 1.900.5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference) via a crafted BMP image in an imginfo command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8690 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the JasPer image processing library, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.900.5. This issue resides in the bmp_getdata function located within the libjasper/bmp/bmp_dec.c source file, which handles the decoding of bitmap image formats. The vulnerability manifests when the library processes specially crafted BMP images through the imginfo command, creating a scenario where a remote attacker can intentionally trigger a system crash or service disruption. The root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the bitmap decoding routine, where the function fails to properly check for null pointers before dereferencing them during image data processing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a well-defined pattern that aligns with CWE-476, which categorizes null pointer dereference issues as a common software flaw. When a malicious BMP image is presented to the affected JasPer library, the bmp_getdata function attempts to access memory locations that have not been properly initialized or validated, resulting in a segmentation fault or similar system crash. This behavior represents a classic denial of service attack vector where the attacker does not need to execute arbitrary code but can simply cause the target system to become unresponsive or terminate the service entirely. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered remotely through any application or service that utilizes the vulnerable JasPer library for image processing, including web applications, image viewers, and document management systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8690 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise system availability and stability across various platforms where JasPer is integrated. Organizations using affected versions of the library may experience unexpected service outages when processing user-uploaded or externally sourced BMP images, which could be particularly damaging in environments where image processing is critical to business operations. This vulnerability directly relates to the ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which describes the use of denial of service attacks to disrupt services, and demonstrates how seemingly benign file format processing can become a vector for system compromise. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers can potentially target web applications, cloud services, or any system that processes BMP images without proper input sanitization, making it a significant concern for organizations maintaining public-facing image processing services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8690 primarily focus on immediate patching and implementation of input validation measures. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to JasPer version 1.900.5 or later, where the null pointer dereference issue has been addressed through proper input validation and error handling mechanisms. Organizations should also implement defensive programming practices such as validating all image file headers and data structures before processing, implementing timeouts for image processing operations, and employing sandboxed environments for image handling. Additional protective measures include deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious image file patterns, implementing strict file type validation, and ensuring that all image processing components are regularly updated and monitored for similar vulnerabilities. Network segmentation and access controls can further limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts, while comprehensive logging and monitoring systems should track image processing activities to detect anomalous behavior that might indicate attempted exploitation of this or related vulnerabilities.