CVE-2016-9580 in OpenJPEG
Summary
by MITRE
An integer overflow vulnerability was found in tiftoimage function in openjpeg 2.1.2, resulting in heap buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/29/2023
The integer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9580 resides within the tiftoimage function of openjpeg version 2.1.2, representing a critical security flaw that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and handling of image dimensions during the conversion process from TIFF to image formats, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted input can cause memory corruption. The flaw specifically affects the library's ability to accurately calculate buffer sizes when processing image data, particularly when dealing with large or malformed image files that contain oversized dimension parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves an integer overflow condition that occurs during the calculation of memory allocation for heap buffers within the tiftoimage function. When the input TIFF file contains malformed dimension values that exceed the maximum representable integer values, the arithmetic operations used to determine buffer sizes result in integer overflow, leading to insufficient memory allocation. This insufficient allocation subsequently causes a heap buffer overflow when the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability manifests as a classic memory corruption issue that can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially execute arbitrary code.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9580 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it presents a significant vector for remote code execution attacks. Systems that utilize openjpeg 2.1.2 for image processing, including web applications, image conversion services, and document management systems, become vulnerable to exploitation when processing untrusted input. The vulnerability can be triggered through various attack vectors including web uploads, email attachments, or file processing workflows that utilize the affected library. Security researchers have categorized this issue under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and it aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities for code execution. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that it can be triggered through common image processing workflows without requiring specialized knowledge of the underlying system architecture.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-9580 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements in software development practices. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to openjpeg version 2.1.3 or later, where the integer overflow has been resolved through proper input validation and boundary checking mechanisms. Organizations should also implement robust input sanitization procedures that validate image dimensions before processing, particularly for files originating from untrusted sources. Additional protective measures include deploying memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention features to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing comprehensive security testing procedures including fuzzing and static code analysis to identify similar integer overflow conditions in other library components. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular security patch management processes to ensure all vulnerable components are promptly updated.