CVE-2016-9399 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
The calcstepsizes function in jpc_dec.c in JasPer 1.900.22 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-2016-9399 resides within the JasPer 1.900.22 library, specifically in the calcstepsizes function located in jpc_dec.c. This issue represents a denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers through unspecified vectors, potentially leading to system unavailability. The flaw manifests as an assertion failure, which occurs when the software encounters unexpected conditions during the decoding process of JPEG 2000 images. JasPer is a widely used open-source library for handling JPEG 2000 image format processing, making this vulnerability particularly concerning given its potential impact on systems that rely on this standard for image handling and processing.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the calcstepsizes function, which is responsible for calculating step sizes during the decoding process of JPEG 2000 compressed data streams. When malformed or specially crafted input data is processed through this function, the assertion mechanism fails, causing the application to terminate abruptly. This behavior aligns with CWE-617, which categorizes assertion failure vulnerabilities where program assertions that are meant to detect programming errors are triggered by malicious input, leading to unexpected program termination. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-129, which deals with insufficient input validation, as the function fails to properly validate the parameters it receives during the decoding process.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that utilize JasPer for image processing, particularly in web applications, image servers, and multimedia processing platforms. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness by sending specially crafted JPEG 2000 files to systems that use JasPer for image handling, potentially causing service disruption across multiple applications. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service as it can affect entire image processing pipelines, content management systems, and applications that depend on stable image decoding capabilities. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where automated image processing occurs, as it could lead to cascading failures affecting multiple system components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under privilege escalation and denial of service tactics, where adversaries can leverage software weaknesses to disrupt normal operations and potentially gain further access to systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-9399 should prioritize immediate patching of JasPer installations to versions that address this specific assertion failure issue. Organizations should implement input validation mechanisms that filter or reject malformed JPEG 2000 files before they reach the JasPer library processing layer. Network-based protections can include implementing content filtering rules that identify and block suspicious image file patterns, while application-level defenses should incorporate robust error handling and monitoring to detect and respond to assertion failures. System administrators should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify patterns associated with exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability. Additionally, organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems utilizing JasPer and ensure that proper security controls are in place to prevent exploitation of this and similar denial of service vulnerabilities. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that legitimate functionality remains intact while the vulnerability is properly addressed.