CVE-2017-11115 in OpenExif
Summary
by MITRE
The ExifJpegHUFFTable::deriveTable function in ExifHuffmanTable.cpp in OpenExif 2.1.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer overflow and application crash) via a crafted jpg file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11115 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within the OpenExif library version 2.1.4. This issue resides in the ExifJpegHUFFTable::deriveTable function located in the ExifHuffmanTable.cpp source file, which processes jpeg image files containing Exif metadata. The flaw manifests when the library encounters specially crafted jpeg files that manipulate the Huffman table structures used for image compression and decompression. The vulnerability specifically targets the heap memory management during the parsing of Exif metadata within jpeg containers, creating conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of jpeg file headers and Exif metadata structures that contain Huffman table definitions. When the ExifJpegHUFFTable::deriveTable function processes malformed input data, it fails to properly validate the size and structure of Huffman tables before attempting to populate internal buffers. This inadequate validation creates a condition where attacker-controlled data can overflow heap-allocated buffers, leading to memory corruption that ultimately results in application crashes or complete denial of service. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of image processing libraries and memory safety, making it particularly dangerous in applications that handle untrusted image files from web uploads or file transfers.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to any application or system that utilizes OpenExif 2.1.4 for image processing, particularly web applications, content management systems, and digital asset management platforms. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can trigger the vulnerability through web interfaces without requiring local access or special privileges. The heap-based buffer overflow creates a predictable crash pattern that can be exploited for denial of service attacks against critical services, potentially leading to service interruption and availability loss. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks, making it a significant concern for infrastructure security and service availability.
The recommended mitigations for this vulnerability include immediate upgrading to a patched version of OpenExif that addresses the buffer overflow condition in the ExifJpegHUFFTable::deriveTable function. Organizations should also implement input validation measures that sanitize jpeg files before processing, including limiting file size, validating image headers, and employing robust error handling for Exif metadata parsing. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional defense in depth by blocking suspicious jpeg files before they reach the vulnerable processing components. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring and alerting for application crashes or unusual behavior patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potential memory safety issues in image processing libraries.