CVE-2016-9397 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
The jpc_dequantize function in jpc_dec.c in JasPer 1.900.13 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (assertion failure) via unspecified vectors.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9397 resides within the jpc_dequantize function located in the jpc_dec.c file of JasPer version 1.900.13, a widely used library for processing jpeg2000 image format files. This flaw represents a classic denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers to disrupt system operations without requiring authentication or privileged access. The vulnerability manifests through assertion failures that occur when the function processes malformed or specially crafted jpeg2000 image data, causing the application to terminate unexpectedly and potentially leaving systems in an unstable state.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the jpc_dequantize function, which is responsible for dequantizing jpeg2000 data during the decoding process. When the function encounters unexpected data patterns or malformed parameters, it triggers an assertion that fails, leading to abrupt program termination. This behavior aligns with CWE-617, which describes reachable assertions that can be triggered by external inputs, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments where applications process untrusted image data from remote sources. The unspecified vectors suggest that multiple attack paths could lead to the assertion failure, indicating a fundamental flaw in the input validation mechanism rather than a single specific exploit path.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems that rely on JasPer for image processing, including web servers, image processing applications, and content management systems that handle user-uploaded jpeg2000 files. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the assertion failure can potentially be exploited to cause repeated crashes, leading to sustained denial of service conditions that can affect availability for legitimate users. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to consume system resources through repeated triggering of the assertion failure, making it particularly dangerous in environments with limited computational resources or high availability requirements. The vulnerability also demonstrates weaknesses in the software development lifecycle regarding proper error handling and input validation practices, as the assertion failure indicates that the developers did not adequately anticipate or handle edge cases in the data processing flow.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-9397 primarily involve immediate software updates to patched versions of JasPer that address the assertion failure in the jpc_dequantize function. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those that process external image data or serve content that may contain jpeg2000 files. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation at multiple layers of the application stack, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and establishing robust error handling procedures that prevent assertion failures from causing application crashes. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for image processing components and employing automated monitoring to detect service disruptions that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege in software development, ensuring that applications can gracefully handle malformed inputs without compromising system stability. This issue also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, emphasizing the need for comprehensive defensive strategies that address both the immediate vulnerability and broader system resilience requirements.