CVE-2016-8692 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
The jpc_dec_process_siz function in libjasper/jpc/jpc_dec.c in JasPer before 1.900.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (divide-by-zero error and application crash) via a crafted YRsiz value in a BMP image to the imginfo command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-8692 represents a critical denial of service weakness within the JasPer image processing library, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.900.4. This flaw resides in the jpc_dec_process_siz function located within the libjasper/jpc/jpc_dec.c source file, demonstrating how improper input validation can lead to system instability and service disruption. The vulnerability manifests when processing BMP images through the imginfo command, making it particularly concerning for applications that handle image metadata extraction and processing. The attack vector requires a remote attacker to craft a malicious BMP image containing a specially manipulated YRsiz value, which then triggers the vulnerable code path during image analysis operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a divide-by-zero error that occurs when the jpc_dec_process_siz function processes the crafted YRsiz parameter. This parameter controls the vertical resolution scaling factor within the JPEG 2000 compression standard, and when improperly configured in a BMP image wrapper, it causes the application to attempt division by zero during the decoding process. The flaw directly maps to CWE-369, which categorizes divide-by-zero errors as a fundamental security weakness that can lead to application crashes and system instability. The vulnerability demonstrates poor error handling and input validation practices within the image processing pipeline, where the system fails to properly validate the range and value of the YRsiz parameter before attempting mathematical operations on it.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8692 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it enables remote attackers to perform denial of service attacks against systems that utilize the JasPer library for image processing. This vulnerability affects any application or service that accepts BMP image uploads and subsequently processes them using the imginfo command or similar functionality that relies on the JasPer library. Attackers can leverage this weakness to repeatedly crash services, making it particularly dangerous in web applications, content management systems, or any platform that processes user-uploaded images. The vulnerability can be exploited across multiple platforms and applications that depend on JasPer for image handling, potentially leading to cascading service disruptions and availability issues for legitimate users. The attack requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated, making it a preferred choice for attackers seeking to disrupt services without requiring sophisticated attack infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8692 primarily focus on upgrading to JasPer version 1.900.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to prevent the divide-by-zero condition. System administrators should prioritize patch management and ensure all applications utilizing the JasPer library are updated to versions that address this vulnerability. Additional protective measures include implementing input validation and sanitization for image files before processing, particularly for YRsiz parameters within JPEG 2000 structures. Network-level defenses such as intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor for suspicious image file patterns, while application-level protections should include proper error handling and resource management to prevent crash conditions from being exploited. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege when processing untrusted input data, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks. Organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their image processing pipelines and maintain updated threat intelligence to identify similar vulnerabilities in other third-party libraries they may be using.