CVE-2016-8693 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
Double free vulnerability in the mem_close function in jas_stream.c in JasPer before 1.900.10 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted BMP image to the imginfo command.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/16/2017
The CVE-2016-8693 vulnerability represents a critical double free condition within the JasPer library's memory management system, specifically affecting the mem_close function in jas_stream.c. This flaw exists in JasPer versions prior to 1.900.10 and demonstrates a classic memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited through crafted input files. The vulnerability manifests when processing BMP image files through the imginfo command, making it particularly dangerous in environments where image processing is performed on untrusted input. The double free condition occurs when the same memory block is freed twice, which can lead to heap corruption and unpredictable behavior in the affected application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory handling within the JasPer library's stream management functions. When the mem_close function processes a memory stream, it fails to properly track memory allocation and deallocation states, creating conditions where memory blocks can be freed multiple times. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-415, which specifically addresses double free conditions in memory management. The flaw is particularly insidious because it can be triggered remotely through network-based image processing applications, allowing attackers to craft malicious BMP files that when processed by vulnerable software will cause the memory management system to execute the double free operation.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-8693 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution in certain scenarios. When exploited successfully, the double free condition can corrupt the heap structure, leading to crashes that may be leveraged to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. This vulnerability affects a wide range of applications that rely on JasPer for image processing, including document management systems, image viewers, and web applications that process uploaded images. The attack vector through the imginfo command indicates that even simple command-line tools using JasPer as a library can be compromised, making this vulnerability particularly widespread in the software ecosystem.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8693 primarily involve upgrading to JasPer version 1.900.10 or later, which contains the necessary patches to prevent the double free condition. Organizations should also implement input validation and sanitization measures to prevent processing of untrusted image files, particularly in web applications and network services. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and code execution. Security teams should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems using affected versions of JasPer and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing application sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms such as address space layout randomization can provide additional defense-in-depth measures against exploitation of this class of vulnerability.