CVE-2016-9387 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the jpc_dec_process_siz function in libjasper/jpc/jpc_dec.c in JasPer before 1.900.13 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via a crafted file, which triggers an assertion failure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9387 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the JasPer image processing library, specifically within the jpc_dec_process_siz function located in libjasper/jpc/jpc_dec.c. This library serves as a fundamental component for handling jpeg2000 image format decoding and is widely integrated into various software applications and systems. The vulnerability manifests when processing specially crafted jpeg2000 files that contain malformed size parameters, creating conditions where integer arithmetic operations exceed their maximum representable values. This particular flaw falls under the CWE-190 category of integer overflow, which is classified as a serious weakness in software security architecture. The issue affects JasPer versions prior to 1.900.13, indicating that the vulnerability has been present for several years and likely exploited in the wild before its discovery.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs during the decoding process when the jpc_dec_process_siz function attempts to calculate and process size parameters from the jpeg2000 file header. When attackers provide malicious input that causes integer overflow conditions, the system experiences assertion failures that can lead to application crashes or potentially more severe consequences depending on the execution environment. The assertion failure represents a defensive mechanism that terminates program execution when certain conditions are not met, but in this case, the overflow condition causes the assertion to fail rather than properly handling the malformed input. This behavior creates a denial of service scenario where legitimate users cannot process jpeg2000 files, while also potentially opening doors for more sophisticated attacks depending on the context where the library is deployed.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9387 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it represents a potential vector for remote code execution or system compromise in environments where JasPer is used in security-critical applications. The unspecified impact mentioned in the vulnerability description suggests that depending on the system configuration and how the library is integrated, attackers might be able to leverage this condition to execute arbitrary code or gain elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects a wide range of applications including web servers, image processing software, and embedded systems that utilize jpeg2000 format support. Given that JasPer was widely adopted in enterprise environments, this vulnerability could have enabled attackers to compromise systems through various attack vectors such as web-based file uploads, email attachments, or network file transfers. The attack surface is particularly concerning because jpeg2000 format support is often enabled in applications that handle user-provided content, making this vulnerability exploitable through common attack paths.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-9387 primarily focus on immediate remediation through version upgrades to JasPer 1.900.13 or later, which contains patches addressing the integer overflow condition. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected systems and applications that utilize the JasPer library, particularly those handling untrusted image files from external sources. Additionally, implementing input validation and sanitization measures can provide defense-in-depth protection, though these are secondary to the core patching requirement. Security monitoring should include detection of malformed jpeg2000 files that might be used in exploitation attempts, and network segmentation can limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of vulnerable applications and establish proper file type validation procedures. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date third-party libraries and the critical nature of addressing integer overflow conditions in security-sensitive code, as these flaws can persist for years without detection and represent significant risks to system integrity and availability.