CVE-2017-11640 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
When ImageMagick 7.0.6-1 processes a crafted file in convert, it can lead to an address access exception in the WritePTIFImage() function in coders/tiff.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11640 represents a critical memory access issue within ImageMagick version 7.0.6-1, specifically affecting the convert utility when processing maliciously crafted files. This flaw resides in the WritePTIFImage() function located within the coders/tiff.c source file, demonstrating a classic buffer overflow or memory corruption vulnerability that can be exploited through improper input validation. The vulnerability occurs during the processing of TIFF image files, where ImageMagick fails to properly handle malformed or specially crafted input data, leading to unpredictable memory access patterns that can result in application crashes or potentially more severe consequences.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, making it particularly dangerous in environments where ImageMagick is used for automated image processing or file validation. When an attacker crafts a specific TIFF file that triggers the WritePTIFImage() function, the software attempts to access memory locations outside the bounds of allocated buffers, causing the application to either crash or potentially execute arbitrary code if the memory corruption can be leveraged for exploitation. This represents a significant concern for systems that process untrusted image files, as the vulnerability can be triggered through simple file manipulation without requiring complex attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11640 extends beyond simple application instability, as it can be exploited in various attack scenarios including remote code execution, denial of service attacks, and privilege escalation within systems that rely on ImageMagick for image processing tasks. The vulnerability affects systems where ImageMagick is installed and used for converting or processing image files, particularly in web applications, content management systems, and automated processing pipelines that accept user-uploaded images. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting software vulnerabilities to gain system access, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage for exploitation. Organizations using ImageMagick in production environments face significant risk if this vulnerability is not addressed promptly, as it can be exploited through simple file upload mechanisms or automated processing workflows.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11640 should prioritize immediate patching of ImageMagick installations to version 7.0.6-10 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the memory access issue in the WritePTIFImage() function. Additionally, organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures, particularly when processing user-uploaded files, by employing file type verification, size limits, and content scanning to prevent exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual file processing patterns that may indicate attempted exploitation. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of implementing principle of least privilege access controls for ImageMagick processes and maintaining regular security updates for all image processing libraries and utilities used within the organization's infrastructure.