CVE-2017-11644 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
When ImageMagick 7.0.6-1 processes a crafted file in convert, it can lead to a Memory Leak in the ReadMATImage() function in coders/mat.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11644 represents a critical memory management flaw within ImageMagick version 7.0.6-1, specifically affecting the convert utility when processing maliciously crafted input files. This issue resides in the ReadMATImage() function located within the coders/mat.c source file, demonstrating a classic memory leak condition that can severely impact system stability and resource availability. The flaw occurs during the parsing of MATLAB matrix files, which are commonly used for scientific computing and data analysis. When an attacker crafts a specially formatted file that exploits this vulnerability, the application fails to properly release allocated memory resources during the image processing cycle, leading to progressive memory consumption that can eventually exhaust system resources.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate memory deallocation practices within the MAT file parsing logic. When ImageMagick attempts to read and process a malformed MATLAB matrix file, the ReadMATImage() function allocates memory blocks to store intermediate data structures but fails to consistently free these allocations in all code execution paths. This memory leak pattern represents a CWE-401 weakness categorized as "Improper Release of Memory Before Removing Last Reference" which directly aligns with common software security vulnerabilities. The vulnerability can be triggered through various attack vectors including web application file uploads, email attachments, or direct file processing scenarios where ImageMagick is invoked to handle user-provided content.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11644 extends beyond simple resource exhaustion, creating potential denial of service conditions that can compromise system availability and stability. In environments where ImageMagick is used as a backend processing component for web applications, content management systems, or automated workflows, this vulnerability can be exploited to gradually consume system memory until the application becomes unresponsive or crashes entirely. Attackers leveraging this flaw can perform sustained resource exhaustion attacks against systems processing image files, particularly in high-volume environments where multiple concurrent processing operations occur. The vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which describes "Resource Hijacking" through memory exhaustion attacks, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on image processing pipelines.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11644 require immediate patching of affected ImageMagick installations to version 7.0.6-2 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should implement strict file validation and sanitization procedures before processing user-uploaded content, including MIME type checking and file format validation. Network-based defenses can include implementing file type restrictions and content inspection rules that prevent processing of known vulnerable formats. System administrators should monitor memory usage patterns and implement automated alerting for unusual resource consumption that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the principle of least privilege should be enforced by running ImageMagick processes with minimal required permissions and isolation from critical system resources. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact of any successful exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where the convert utility is exposed to untrusted input sources.