CVE-2016-9117 in OpenJPEG
Summary
by MITRE
NULL Pointer Access in function imagetopnm of convert.c(jp2):1289 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 identified as CVE-2016-9117 represents a critical null pointer access flaw within the OpenJPEG library version 2.1.2, specifically within the imagetopnm function located in the convert.c file at line 1289. This issue manifests as a denial of service condition that can be exploited through the careful crafting of j2k files, making it particularly concerning for systems that process or convert image files. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the JPEG 2000 decoding process, where the application fails to properly check for null pointer references before attempting to dereference them during image conversion operations.
The technical nature of this flaw places it squarely within the category of software quality assurance failures that can lead to system instability and service disruption. When a maliciously crafted j2k file is processed by the vulnerable OpenJPEG library, the imagetopnm function attempts to access a null pointer reference at the specified memory location, causing the application to crash or become unresponsive. This behavior aligns with CWE-476, which describes null pointer dereference vulnerabilities that can result in program termination or unpredictable behavior. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of defensive programming practices where the code does not adequately validate input parameters or handle exceptional conditions that may arise during the processing of malformed image data.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9117 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass broader security implications for systems that rely on OpenJPEG for image processing tasks. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to perform denial of service attacks against applications that utilize the affected library, potentially disrupting critical services or causing system unavailability. The attack vector requires minimal sophistication as the exploit only necessitates the creation of a specially crafted j2k file, making it accessible to threat actors with limited technical expertise. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications, image processing servers, and any system that accepts user-uploaded image files without proper validation, creating potential entry points for attackers seeking to disrupt service availability.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the latest OpenJPEG releases that contain the necessary fixes for the null pointer access issue. Organizations should implement input validation measures that reject malformed j2k files before they reach the OpenJPEG library processing layer, utilizing file signature checking and format validation techniques. The implementation of proper error handling and defensive programming practices within applications that utilize OpenJPEG can provide additional layers of protection against exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns of image file processing that might indicate exploitation attempts, while network segmentation and access controls can limit the potential impact of successful attacks. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of adhering to security best practices such as those outlined in the ATT&CK framework's defense evasion techniques, where proper input validation and error handling serve as fundamental controls against such exploitation methods.