CVE-2017-11643 in GraphicsMagick
Summary
by MITRE
GraphicsMagick 1.3.26 has a heap overflow in the WriteCMYKImage() function in coders/cmyk.c when processing multiple frames that have non-identical widths.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11643 represents a critical heap overflow condition within GraphicsMagick version 1.3.26, specifically manifesting in the WriteCMYKImage() function located in the coders/cmyk.c source file. This flaw emerges during the processing of multi-frame image formats where individual frames possess differing width dimensions, creating a scenario where memory allocation calculations become misaligned with actual data requirements. The vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category of CWE-121, which classifies heap-based buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient bounds checking allows data to be written beyond allocated memory boundaries.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when GraphicsMagick processes image sequences containing multiple frames with varying widths, particularly in CMYK color space formats. During the WriteCMYKImage() function execution, the software fails to properly validate or adjust memory allocation sizes based on the maximum width requirement across all frames in the sequence. This oversight allows attackers to craft malicious image files where carefully constructed frame dimensions cause the application to write data beyond pre-allocated heap memory regions, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or application crashes. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds writes that occur when an application writes data past the end of a buffer, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities through crafted input files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability, as it creates potential entry points for malicious actors seeking to compromise systems running vulnerable GraphicsMagick versions. When exploited, the heap overflow could allow attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects any system that processes multi-frame CMYK images through GraphicsMagick, including web servers, image processing pipelines, and automated workflow systems. Organizations utilizing GraphicsMagick for image handling operations, particularly those processing user-uploaded content, face significant risk exposure as this vulnerability can be triggered through simple file manipulation without requiring special privileges or complex attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11643 primarily focus on immediate software updates and deployment of patched versions of GraphicsMagick. The most effective solution involves upgrading to GraphicsMagick version 1.3.27 or later, where the heap overflow issue has been addressed through proper bounds checking and memory allocation adjustments. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all instances of GraphicsMagick across their infrastructure are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include input validation and sanitization of image files before processing, implementing strict file format validation, and deploying sandboxed execution environments for image processing tasks. Network-based mitigations such as content filtering and web application firewalls can provide additional layers of protection by blocking suspicious image file uploads that might contain malicious payloads designed to exploit this vulnerability. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory allocation patterns or application crashes that might indicate exploitation attempts.