CVE-2017-11339 in Exiv2
Summary
by MITRE
There is a heap-based buffer overflow in the 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 heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11339 resides within the Exiv2 library version 0.26, specifically within the Image::printIFDStructure function located in the image.cpp source file. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that arises from inadequate input validation and memory management practices during the processing of image metadata structures. The flaw manifests when the library encounters malformed or crafted input data that exceeds the allocated buffer boundaries, creating conditions where memory corruption can occur in the heap memory region. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited remotely through maliciously crafted image files that are processed by applications leveraging the Exiv2 library. The vulnerability stems from a fundamental failure in bounds checking and memory allocation handling within the image metadata parsing routine, where the system does not properly validate the size or structure of IFD (Image File Directory) entries before attempting to process them.
The technical exploitation of this buffer overflow occurs when an attacker crafts a specially designed image file containing malformed IFD structures that trigger the vulnerable code path within the printIFDStructure function. When the Exiv2 library attempts to parse this crafted input, the insufficient bounds checking allows the program to write data beyond the allocated memory buffer, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations including function return addresses, stack canaries, or other critical program data. This memory corruption can lead to unpredictable program behavior, application crashes, or in more sophisticated attack scenarios, could potentially enable arbitrary code execution depending on the memory layout and protection mechanisms in place. The vulnerability specifically affects the heap memory management system where the overflow occurs, making it particularly challenging to detect and exploit compared to stack-based buffer overflows. According to CWE classification, this represents a CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability, which is categorized under the broader weakness of insufficient boundary checking in memory management operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11339 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially compromise the integrity and availability of systems that utilize the Exiv2 library for image metadata processing. Applications that process user-uploaded images or handle image files from untrusted sources become vulnerable to remote exploitation, as attackers can craft malicious files that will trigger the buffer overflow during normal processing operations. This vulnerability affects a wide range of software systems including content management systems, image processing applications, web applications, and digital asset management platforms that rely on Exiv2 for metadata handling. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous for web-facing applications and services. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 by enabling remote code execution through memory corruption, and represents a significant risk to system availability and stability in environments where image processing is a core function. Organizations using affected versions of Exiv2 must consider the potential for cascading failures when image processing components are compromised, as the vulnerability could be leveraged to disrupt critical business operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11339 focus primarily on updating to patched versions of the Exiv2 library where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper bounds checking and memory management. System administrators should immediately upgrade to Exiv2 version 0.27 or later, where the vulnerability has been resolved through enhanced input validation and improved memory allocation practices. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict input validation at application boundaries, sanitizing image metadata before processing, and deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious image file patterns. Network-level protections such as content filtering and sandboxing image processing operations can provide additional layers of defense. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices including the use of safe string handling functions, implementing comprehensive memory management protocols, and conducting regular security code reviews. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates and maintain inventory of all software components that may be vulnerable to similar memory corruption issues. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify potential exploitation vectors and ensure that defensive measures remain effective against evolving attack techniques.