CVE-2016-9830 in GraphicsMagick
Summary
by MITRE
The MagickRealloc function in memory.c in Graphicsmagick 1.3.25 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via large dimensions in a jpeg image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9830 resides within Graphicsmagick version 1.3.25, specifically in the MagickRealloc function located in the memory.c file. This flaw represents a classic heap-based buffer overflow condition that occurs when processing jpeg image files with excessively large dimensions. The vulnerability manifests when the Graphicsmagick library attempts to reallocate memory blocks to accommodate oversized image metadata, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted jpeg files can trigger memory corruption. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices during the parsing of image dimensions, allowing attackers to manipulate the allocation process through carefully constructed image headers.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves the exploitation of memory allocation routines that fail to properly validate the size parameters provided in jpeg image headers. When Graphicsmagick encounters a jpeg file with dimensions that exceed reasonable bounds, the MagickRealloc function attempts to allocate memory blocks that either become excessively large or cause integer overflow conditions during the allocation process. This mismanagement leads to memory corruption that ultimately results in application crash and denial of service. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory management and image parsing, where the library's failure to implement proper bounds checking creates an exploitable condition that can be remotely triggered through network-based image processing operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems that rely on Graphicsmagick for image processing tasks, particularly those exposed to untrusted image inputs such as web applications, content management systems, or file upload services. The denial of service condition can effectively render the affected application unavailable to legitimate users, potentially enabling attackers to perform service disruption attacks against critical infrastructure. The remote nature of the attack means that systems processing jpeg images from untrusted sources are vulnerable without requiring local access or authentication. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications that utilize Graphicsmagick for automatic image resizing, thumbnail generation, or image format conversion services, where attackers can upload maliciously crafted images to trigger the crash condition.
The vulnerability maps to CWE-122 Heap-based Buffer Overflow and CWE-704 Incorrect Calculation, with potential ATT&CK mappings to T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service and T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to Graphicsmagick versions that address this vulnerability, implementing strict image validation and size limits, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Additionally, defensive programming practices such as implementing proper memory allocation bounds checking, using secure coding standards, and conducting regular security assessments of image processing components are essential. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of memory safety in image processing libraries and highlights the need for robust input validation mechanisms in multimedia processing applications that handle untrusted data sources.