CVE-2016-8702 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-2016-8700, CVE-2016-8701, and CVE-2016-8703.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/08/2020
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in potrace's bm_readbody_bmp function represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability through crafted BMP image files. This vulnerability exists within the bitmap_io.c source file of potrace version 1.13 and earlier, making it a significant concern for systems that process or convert bitmap graphics. The flaw specifically affects the handling of BMP image headers and data structures during the reading process, where insufficient bounds checking allows malicious data to overwrite adjacent heap memory regions. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, which is classified as a common weakness in software security practices. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic improper input validation issue where the application fails to properly verify the size and structure of incoming bitmap data before attempting to process it, creating an opportunity for attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute malicious code.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to include potential remote code execution capabilities that could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to affected systems. When a vulnerable application processes a specially crafted BMP file, the buffer overflow can corrupt heap metadata, leading to unpredictable behavior including application crashes, data corruption, or more severe exploitation outcomes. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability in various attack scenarios including web application exploitation, email attachment processing, or file upload functionality where BMP images are accepted as input. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates at the binary level of image processing, meaning that any application or service that relies on potrace for bitmap conversion or manipulation could be compromised. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which involves the exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain remote access, and T1059 which covers the use of command and control channels that might be established through successful exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to potrace version 1.13 or later, which contains the necessary patches to prevent the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement strict input validation measures for all image file processing, including size limitations, format verification, and sandboxed execution environments for image conversion tasks. Additional defensive measures include network segmentation to limit exposure, implementing web application firewalls to detect and block malicious file uploads, and conducting regular security assessments of systems that utilize potrace or similar bitmap processing libraries. Memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention should be enabled to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper memory management and input validation in graphics processing libraries, and demonstrates how seemingly benign file format handling can become a critical security risk when proper bounds checking is omitted. Security teams should also consider implementing automated monitoring for suspicious file processing activities and establish incident response procedures specifically tailored to handle buffer overflow exploitation attempts in image processing pipelines.