CVE-2017-11704 in Ming
Summary
by MITRE
A heap-based buffer over-read was found in the function decompileIF in util/decompile.c in Ming 0.4.8, which allows attackers to cause a denial of service via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11704 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read condition within the Ming library version 0.4.8. This flaw exists in the decompileIF function located in the util/decompile.c source file, where improper input validation and memory handling create exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by malicious actors. The Ming library serves as a graphics library for handling various vector graphics formats, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for applications that process untrusted graphic content. The buffer over-read occurs when the function attempts to read memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior and system instability. This issue falls under the CWE-125 vulnerability category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions in software systems. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic memory safety issue where the application fails to properly validate input parameters before processing them, creating opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory access patterns.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a specially designed file that triggers the decompileIF function with malformed input data. When the application processes this malicious file, the function attempts to read beyond the intended buffer limits, potentially accessing uninitialized memory regions or memory belonging to other processes. This over-read condition can result in application crashes, segmentation faults, or in more sophisticated scenarios, could be leveraged to extract sensitive information from memory or potentially enable further exploitation techniques. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability indicates that the memory corruption occurs within the heap allocation area, making it particularly challenging to predict and prevent. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple denial of service as it represents a potential pathway for more advanced attacks that could compromise system integrity. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving denial of service and memory corruption, which are commonly used as initial access vectors or to establish persistent footholds within target systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11704 manifests primarily through system instability and service disruption, as applications utilizing the Ming library become vulnerable to crashes when processing crafted input files. Organizations deploying software that relies on Ming 0.4.8 may experience unexpected application failures, particularly in environments where users can upload or process graphic files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability's severity escalates in web applications, content management systems, or graphic processing platforms where users might upload files that trigger this condition. Security teams must consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their attack surface, as it could be exploited in chained attacks alongside other memory corruption vulnerabilities. The lack of proper bounds checking in the decompileIF function creates a persistent risk that affects all systems using the vulnerable library version, regardless of the specific application context. This vulnerability also highlights the importance of input sanitization and memory safety practices in graphics processing libraries, where complex file format parsing can introduce numerous potential attack vectors. Organizations should prioritize immediate remediation through library updates or implementing input validation measures to prevent exploitation of this heap-based buffer over-read condition.