CVE-2016-9560 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the jpc_tsfb_getbands2 function in jpc_tsfb.c in JasPer before 1.900.30 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via a crafted image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9560 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the JasPer image processing library, specifically affecting the jpc_tsfb_getbands2 function in the jpc_tsfb.c source file. This flaw exists in JasPer versions prior to 1.900.30 and presents a significant security risk to systems processing image files. The vulnerability arises from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the function responsible for processing JPEG 2000 image compression data structures, particularly when handling spectral bands information during the transformation process. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious image files that trigger the buffer overflow condition during normal image parsing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully constructed image file that manipulates the spectral band parameters in a manner that exceeds the allocated stack buffer space. When the jpc_tsfb_getbands2 function processes these malformed parameters, it fails to properly validate the input data against predefined buffer boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been a persistent concern in C/C++ based applications. The stack overflow can potentially corrupt return addresses, function pointers, and other critical stack data, providing attackers with opportunities for arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9560 extends beyond simple system crashes, as the unspecified nature of the impact suggests potential for more severe consequences including remote code execution, privilege escalation, or denial of service attacks. Systems that process untrusted image files, such as web servers, image processing applications, and document management systems, become particularly vulnerable to this attack vector. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not need physical access to the target system, making it a significant threat in networked environments where image files are routinely processed. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems through image processing pipelines.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigation strategies including updating to JasPer version 1.900.30 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. Additionally, input validation measures should be enhanced at multiple levels including image file format validation, size restrictions, and content sanitization before processing potentially malicious image data. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the attack surface, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual image processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software libraries and implementing robust security practices in multimedia processing applications, as image handling components often represent overlooked attack vectors in cybersecurity defenses.