CVE-2017-11338 in Exiv2
Summary
by MITRE
There is an infinite loop in the Exiv2::Image::printIFDStructure function of image.cpp in Exiv2 0.26. A crafted input will lead to a remote denial of service attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11338 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Exiv2 image processing library version 0.26. This issue resides in the Exiv2::Image::printIFDStructure function located in the image.cpp source file, where an infinite loop condition can be triggered through careful manipulation of input data. The flaw specifically manifests when processing specially crafted image files that contain malformed IFD (Image File Directory) structures, which are fundamental components in image metadata handling. This vulnerability affects any application or system that utilizes Exiv2 for image metadata processing, making it particularly dangerous in environments where image files are processed automatically or through user-uploaded content channels.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the IFD structure parsing logic. When the printIFDStructure function encounters malformed or specially constructed IFD entries, the loop control mechanisms fail to properly terminate the iteration process, resulting in continuous execution that consumes system resources indefinitely. This behavior constitutes a classic denial of service attack vector where an attacker can remotely exploit the vulnerability by submitting a maliciously crafted image file to any system running Exiv2 0.26. The infinite loop effectively prevents the application from processing any further requests or continuing normal operations, rendering the affected service unavailable to legitimate users. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-835, which specifically addresses the issue of infinite loops or other forms of indefinite iteration that can lead to denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11338 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass broader system reliability concerns within applications that depend on Exiv2 for image metadata handling. Systems utilizing Exiv2 for automatic image processing, content management platforms, digital asset management solutions, or any web applications that accept image uploads become vulnerable to this attack vector. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers can potentially target services without requiring local access, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for web-facing applications. Additionally, the vulnerability can be leveraged in distributed denial of service scenarios where multiple targets are simultaneously subjected to this attack, amplifying the overall impact on network availability and system performance.
From a security framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK tactics including privilege escalation and denial of service, as it enables attackers to disrupt system operations and potentially gain unauthorized access to system resources through service disruption. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate error handling within the Exiv2 library, which represents a fundamental security weakness in the software development lifecycle. Organizations should immediately implement mitigations including updating to Exiv2 version 0.27 or later, where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper loop termination conditions and enhanced input validation. Additionally, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious image file patterns may provide additional defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security updates and the implementation of proper code review processes to identify and prevent similar issues in other software components that may be susceptible to similar infinite loop conditions.