CVE-2016-8700 in potrace
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the bm_readbody_bmp function in bitmap_io.c in potrace before 1.13 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via a crafted BMP image, a different vulnerability than CVE-2016-8698, CVE-2016-8699, CVE-2016-8701, CVE-2016-8702, and CVE-2016-8703.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2020
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in CVE-2016-8700 affects the potrace library version 1.12 and earlier, specifically within the bm_readbody_bmp function located in bitmap_io.c. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause application crashes through the careful manipulation of BMP image files. The flaw occurs during the processing of bitmap image data where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to write beyond the allocated heap memory boundaries, creating a condition that can be exploited for malicious purposes.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the bitmap image parsing routine. When potrace processes a crafted BMP file, the bm_readbody_bmp function fails to adequately verify the size parameters of the bitmap data structure before attempting to read and copy data into heap-allocated buffers. This inadequate bounds checking creates a scenario where attacker-controlled data can overflow the intended buffer space, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including function return addresses, stack canaries, or other critical program state information. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a heap-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented weakness in memory management that has been consistently exploited in various software applications over the years.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can potentially enable remote code execution depending on the target system configuration and memory layout. Attackers can craft malicious BMP images that, when processed by applications using the vulnerable potrace library, trigger the buffer overflow condition. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter BMP files from untrusted sources, such as email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description reflects the potential for various outcomes including system crashes, privilege escalation, or complete system compromise, making this vulnerability a significant concern for organizations relying on potrace for image processing tasks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-8700 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with potrace version 1.13 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the heap buffer overflow. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures including input validation for all bitmap image processing, sandboxing of image handling operations, and network-based filtering of suspicious file types. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 by enabling remote code execution through malicious file manipulation, and organizations should consider implementing network segmentation and file integrity monitoring to prevent exploitation. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should include checks for the presence of vulnerable potrace versions, particularly in systems handling image processing workflows, and system administrators should maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to monitor for related exploitation attempts.