CVE-2016-9391 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
The jpc_bitstream_getbits function in jpc_bs.c in JasPer before 2.0.10 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (assertion failure) via a very large integer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9391 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the JasPer library version 2.0.9 and earlier. This library serves as a comprehensive implementation of the jpeg2000 standard for image processing and is widely utilized in various applications including medical imaging systems, satellite imagery processing, and digital photography tools. The issue stems from improper input validation within the jpc_bitstream_getbits function located in the jpc_bs.c source file, which fails to adequately handle malformed or excessively large integer values during bitstream processing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a specially malformed jpeg2000 file containing an extremely large integer value that exceeds the expected parameter boundaries. During the execution of jpc_bitstream_getbits, the function performs an assertion check that fails when encountering such oversized integers, leading to an immediate program termination and system crash. This assertion failure represents a classic example of improper input validation and lack of proper error handling mechanisms that violates fundamental security principles. The flaw specifically manifests as an assertion failure rather than a more severe memory corruption vulnerability, yet it provides attackers with a reliable method to induce system instability and denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can be leveraged by attackers to compromise the availability of systems processing jpeg2000 images. Applications that rely on JasPer for image handling, including web applications, image processing servers, and embedded systems, become susceptible to this attack vector. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through simple file uploads or network requests without requiring any special privileges or complex exploitation techniques. This makes it a prime target for automated attack scripts and can be easily incorporated into larger attack campaigns targeting systems that process multimedia content.
The vulnerability maps to CWE-682, which specifically addresses "Incorrect Calculation" and relates to improper handling of mathematical operations with invalid inputs. From an attack perspective, this issue aligns with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under the "Denial of Service" tactic, where adversaries seek to disrupt system availability through resource exhaustion or program termination. The flaw also demonstrates characteristics of improper input validation that could potentially be exploited in combination with other vulnerabilities to escalate the attack vector. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of a broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where multimedia file processing is a core function and where input validation controls may be insufficient.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-9391 primarily involve immediate patching of the JasPer library to version 2.0.10 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly validate integer inputs and prevent assertion failures. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation measures for all jpeg2000 file processing components and consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file upload patterns. Additionally, organizations should establish robust software update procedures to ensure timely deployment of security patches across all affected systems. The fix implemented in JasPer 2.0.10 includes enhanced bounds checking and proper error handling mechanisms that prevent the assertion failure from occurring, thereby eliminating the denial of service vector while maintaining the library's core functionality for legitimate image processing operations.