CVE-2016-9675 in OpenJPEG
Summary
by MITRE
openjpeg: A heap-based buffer overflow flaw was found in the patch for CVE-2013-6045. A crafted j2k image could cause the application to crash, or potentially execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9675 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in the openjpeg library, which serves as a foundational component for handling jpeg2000 image format processing across numerous software applications and systems. This flaw emerged as an unintended consequence of the patch designed to address the earlier vulnerability CVE-2013-6045, demonstrating how security fixes can sometimes introduce new attack vectors. The openjpeg library operates as a widely-deployed open-source codec implementation that supports various image processing workflows in both server and client environments, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous due to its potential for widespread exploitation.
The technical nature of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate bounds checking within the library's parsing routines for jpeg2000 files, specifically when processing malformed patch data structures. When a maliciously crafted j2k image file is processed by software utilizing openjpeg, the library fails to properly validate the size parameters of allocated memory buffers, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to overwrite adjacent heap memory locations. This vulnerability operates at the memory management level and aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw manifests when the application attempts to parse patch data structures within the jpeg2000 container format, where the attacker can manipulate the data to cause the library to allocate insufficient memory while subsequently writing beyond those boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple application crashes, as it presents a potential path to arbitrary code execution within the context of the vulnerable application. Systems utilizing openjpeg for image processing, including web applications, document management systems, medical imaging software, and multimedia processing platforms, could be compromised when processing untrusted jpeg2000 content. Attackers can craft malicious image files that, when opened or processed by vulnerable applications, trigger the buffer overflow condition and potentially gain control over the executing process. This vulnerability particularly affects environments where users can upload or process external image files, such as web applications, content management systems, and collaborative platforms. The exploitability characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities through memory corruption, and represents a significant risk to organizations relying on jpeg2000 image processing capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2016-9675 require immediate implementation of the vendor-provided patch that addresses the heap overflow condition through proper bounds checking and memory validation routines. Organizations should prioritize updating all systems utilizing openjpeg libraries to the patched versions, as the vulnerability can be exploited remotely through web-based applications or locally through file processing. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation controls at application layers, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious image file processing patterns, and establishing robust application sandboxing mechanisms. Security teams should also consider implementing file type validation and content scanning to prevent the processing of potentially malicious jpeg2000 files, while monitoring for exploitation attempts through standard security information and event management systems. The remediation process must be comprehensive across all software components that depend on openjpeg, including web browsers, image processing applications, and server-side image handling services, as the vulnerability's impact extends through the entire software ecosystem that relies on this widely-used library for jpeg2000 image format support.