CVE-2016-9393 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
The jpc_pi_nextrpcl function in jpc_t2cod.c in JasPer before 1.900.17 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (assertion failure) via a crafted file.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9393 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the JasPer image processing library, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.900.17. This issue resides in the jpc_pi_nextrpcl function located within the jpc_t2cod.c source file, which is part of the JPEG 2000 compression standard implementation. The flaw manifests when the library processes malformed or crafted image files, leading to an assertion failure that terminates the application process. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation, where the software fails to properly handle unexpected or malformed data structures during the decoding process.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a specially designed JPEG 2000 file that triggers an assertion within the jpc_pi_nextrpcl function. This function is responsible for processing packet information within the JPEG 2000 coding process, particularly handling the progression order and packet reconstruction. When malformed data is encountered, the assertion mechanism fails, causing the application to crash and resulting in a denial of service condition. This vulnerability is classified as a CWE-617: Reachable Assertion, which is a specific weakness where an assertion can be reached through untrusted input, leading to program termination. The flaw demonstrates a classic example of insufficient error handling and input sanitization that can be exploited in systems processing untrusted image files.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9393 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can affect any application or system that relies on JasPer for image processing, including web applications, image servers, and content management systems. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to repeatedly crash services by uploading or transmitting maliciously crafted JPEG 2000 files, potentially leading to system unavailability and service degradation. This type of denial of service attack can be particularly damaging in environments where image processing is critical, such as in media streaming services, digital asset management systems, or any platform that accepts user-uploaded images. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004: Endpoint Denial of Service, where adversaries target application-specific vulnerabilities to cause service disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-9393 primarily involve upgrading to JasPer version 1.900.17 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the assertion failure issue. System administrators should also implement input validation measures, including file type checking and content verification before processing images through the JasPer library. Additional protective measures include deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file uploads and implementing proper application sandboxing to limit the impact of potential exploitation. Organizations should also consider implementing file size limits and format validation to prevent malformed data from reaching the vulnerable library components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing robust input validation mechanisms to prevent assertion failures from being exploited in production environments.