CVE-2016-9115 in OpenJPEG
Summary
by MITRE
Heap Buffer Over-read in function imagetotga of convert.c(jp2):942 in OpenJPEG 2.1.2. Impact is Denial of Service. Someone must open a crafted j2k file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/29/2022
The vulnerability CVE-2016-9115 represents a heap buffer over-read condition within the OpenJPEG 2.1.2 library, specifically within the imagetotga function located in convert.c at line 942. This flaw occurs during the processing of JPEG 2000 files with the .j2k extension, making it a critical issue for any system that handles or converts these image formats. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read, which allows an attacker to potentially access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw manifests when the convert utility attempts to process a maliciously crafted j2k file, triggering the over-read condition that ultimately leads to a denial of service scenario.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to prepare a specially crafted j2k file that, when opened by a vulnerable system, causes the imagetotga function to read beyond the allocated heap memory. The function processes image data from JPEG 2000 format files and performs conversion operations that involve buffer management. When the malformed input data is processed, the memory access pattern exceeds the expected buffer limits, potentially causing the application to crash or behave unpredictably. This over-read condition can be leveraged for denial of service attacks where the targeted system becomes unresponsive or terminates unexpectedly, effectively preventing legitimate users from accessing the service.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9115 extends beyond simple service disruption as it affects systems that rely on OpenJPEG for image processing tasks. Any application or service that utilizes the convert utility or the OpenJPEG library to handle j2k files becomes vulnerable to this attack vector. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where automated image processing occurs, such as web applications, content management systems, or digital asset management platforms that accept user-uploaded j2k files. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed remotely, making it a significant threat to system availability and service integrity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the OpenJPEG library to version 2.1.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the heap buffer over-read condition. System administrators should implement input validation measures to filter potentially malicious j2k files before processing them through vulnerable applications. The use of sandboxing techniques and restricted execution environments can help contain the impact of exploitation attempts. Additionally, monitoring and logging of image processing activities can aid in detecting potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can identify systems running vulnerable versions of OpenJPEG and prioritize remediation efforts according to risk assessment criteria. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for denial of service attacks and demonstrates the importance of proper input validation in preventing memory corruption vulnerabilities.