CVE-2017-11638 in GraphicsMagick
Summary
by MITRE
GraphicsMagick 1.3.26 has a segmentation violation in the WriteMAPImage() function in coders/map.c when processing a non-colormapped image, a different vulnerability than CVE-2017-11642.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11638 represents a critical segmentation fault within GraphicsMagick version 1.3.26 that occurs during the processing of image files through the WriteMAPImage() function located in the coders/map.c source file. This flaw specifically manifests when the software attempts to handle non-colormapped image formats, creating a scenario where the application fails to properly validate input data structures before attempting to write map image data. The segmentation violation arises from improper memory access patterns that occur when the function assumes certain color mapping characteristics that do not exist in the target image format. This vulnerability falls under the category of improper input validation and memory management errors, which are commonly classified as CWE-125 in the Common Weakness Enumeration framework, representing out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to system crashes or potential code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it creates a potential denial of service condition that can be exploited by malicious actors. When an attacker submits a specially crafted non-colormapped image file to a system running GraphicsMagick 1.3.26, the WriteMAPImage() function will attempt to access memory locations that are either uninitialized or improperly allocated, resulting in a segmentation fault that terminates the process. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion or application crashes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because GraphicsMagick is widely used in web applications, content management systems, and image processing pipelines, making it a prime target for exploitation in environments where image uploads are permitted.
From a security perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization and robust error handling in image processing libraries that handle multiple file formats. The flaw occurs because the software does not adequately verify whether the input image possesses the expected color mapping characteristics before proceeding with operations that assume such properties exist. This type of vulnerability is classified as a buffer over-read condition in the context of the Common Weakness Enumeration standards, where the software accesses memory beyond the bounds of allocated buffers. The issue is further compounded by the fact that similar vulnerabilities exist in the same codebase, as evidenced by the relationship to CVE-2017-11642, suggesting a pattern of insufficient validation in the image processing pipeline. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of GraphicsMagick to version 1.3.27 or later, implementation of strict input validation mechanisms, and deployment of sandboxed execution environments for image processing tasks to prevent exploitation from affecting the broader system infrastructure.