CVE-2017-1000050 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
JasPer 2.0.12 is vulnerable to a NULL pointer exception in the function jp2_encode which failed to check to see if the image contained at least one component resulting in a denial-of-service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-1000050 affects JasPer version 2.0.12 and represents a critical denial-of-service weakness stemming from inadequate input validation within the jp2_encode function. This flaw demonstrates a classic null pointer dereference vulnerability that occurs when the software fails to properly validate whether an image contains at least one component before attempting to process it. The absence of proper boundary checking in the encoding routine creates a scenario where maliciously crafted image data can trigger a segmentation fault, causing the application to crash and terminate unexpectedly. This vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions that can lead to system instability and service disruption.
The technical execution of this vulnerability requires an attacker to provide specially crafted image data that lacks component information or contains malformed component structures. When the jp2_encode function processes such input without proper validation, it attempts to dereference a null pointer during the encoding process, leading to immediate system termination. The flaw exists in the JPEG 2000 image encoding module where the software assumes that all input images will contain valid component data, failing to implement defensive programming practices. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in applications that process untrusted image files, as it can be exploited remotely through web applications, file processing services, or any system that accepts image uploads without proper sanitization. The operational impact extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially allow attackers to exhaust system resources through repeated exploitation attempts.
The implications of this vulnerability extend significantly within enterprise environments where JasPer is used for image processing workflows, medical imaging systems, or digital content management platforms. Organizations utilizing this library in production systems face potential disruption of critical services, particularly those that handle large volumes of image uploads or automated processing pipelines. The vulnerability can be leveraged in distributed denial-of-service attacks where multiple instances of the application are targeted simultaneously, amplifying the impact across network infrastructure. From an operational security perspective, this weakness demonstrates the importance of input validation and defensive programming practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network disruption through resource exhaustion and service interruption. The vulnerability also highlights gaps in software quality assurance processes and the need for comprehensive testing of edge cases in image processing libraries.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1000050 primarily involve upgrading to JasPer version 2.0.13 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the null pointer dereference issue. System administrators should implement immediate patch management protocols to ensure all affected systems are updated promptly, particularly those handling untrusted image data. Additional protective measures include deploying input validation layers that sanitize image file formats before processing, implementing resource limits on image processing services to prevent exploitation through resource exhaustion, and monitoring for abnormal termination patterns in applications using the vulnerable library. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems that process image data, reducing the attack surface available to potential adversaries. The remediation process should include thorough regression testing to ensure that the patch does not introduce compatibility issues with existing image processing workflows while maintaining the security improvements necessary to prevent exploitation of this denial-of-service vulnerability.