CVE-2016-9396 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
The JPC_NOMINALGAIN function in jpc_t1cod.c in JasPer before 1.900.12 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (assertion failure) via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9396 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the JasPer image processing library, specifically within the JPC_NOMINALGAIN function located in the jpc_t1cod.c source file. This library serves as a fundamental component for handling jpeg2000 image format processing across numerous applications and systems, making the vulnerability particularly concerning from a security perspective. The flaw manifests as an assertion failure that can be triggered remotely, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt system operations without requiring authentication or specialized privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the JPC_NOMINALGAIN function, which processes nominal gain calculations during jpeg2000 compression operations. When malformed or specially crafted image data is processed through this function, the assertion check fails, causing the application to terminate unexpectedly. This behavior aligns with CWE-617, which categorizes reachable assertions as a class of vulnerabilities where assertions can be triggered by external input. The vulnerability's remote exploitability suggests that attackers can craft malicious jpeg2000 files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, will trigger the assertion failure and subsequently cause the service to crash.
From an operational standpoint, the impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affect availability of critical systems that rely on jpeg2000 processing capabilities. Applications ranging from web servers handling image uploads to specialized image processing software could become vulnerable to this attack vector. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not need physical access or local privileges to cause disruption, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category, which covers network denial of service attacks, and specifically relates to the T1070.004 sub-technique involving the use of system binaries for denial of service.
The remediation for CVE-2016-9396 requires immediate application of the patch released by JasPer version 1.900.12, which addresses the assertion failure through proper input validation and error handling mechanisms. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of JasPer and ensure timely patch deployment. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and input validation controls can provide additional defense in depth measures. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust error handling in cryptographic and image processing libraries, where improper validation of external inputs can lead to complete service disruption. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual application termination patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.