CVE-2017-12445 in minidjvu
Summary
by MITRE
The JB2BitmapCoder::code_row_by_refinement function in jb2/bmpcoder.cpp in minidjvu 0.8 can cause a denial of service (invalid memory read and application crash) via a crafted djvu file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12445 resides within the minidjvu 0.8 library's JB2BitmapCoder::code_row_by_refinement function located in jb2/bmpcoder.cpp. This issue represents a critical security flaw that manifests when processing maliciously crafted djvu files, leading to invalid memory read operations and subsequent application crashes. The vulnerability specifically targets the bitmap coding component of the minidjvu library, which is responsible for decoding and rendering djvu document content. When an attacker provides a specially constructed djvu file, the function fails to properly validate input data, resulting in memory access violations that terminate the application process.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the JB2BitmapCoder::code_row_by_refinement function. This function processes bitmap data during djvu file decoding operations and fails to properly handle malformed or unexpected input sequences. The flaw allows an attacker to manipulate the memory access patterns by crafting specific djvu file structures that cause the application to read from invalid memory addresses. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and is classified as a buffer over-read condition that can be exploited to cause denial of service through application termination. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-476, which covers null pointer dereference scenarios that can occur during improper input validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12445 extends beyond simple application crashes to represent a significant denial of service threat. Systems that rely on minidjvu for djvu document processing become vulnerable to malicious file uploads or downloads, potentially affecting web applications, document management systems, or any software that integrates with this library. The vulnerability can be exploited in various attack scenarios including web-based attacks where users might inadvertently download or open malicious djvu files, or through file upload mechanisms in web applications. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services through file processing vulnerabilities, and T1499, which addresses disruption of services through resource exhaustion or application crashes.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate attention from system administrators and developers who utilize minidjvu 0.8 in their applications. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to a patched version of minidjvu that addresses the input validation issues within the JB2BitmapCoder::code_row_by_refinement function. Organizations should also implement input sanitization measures that validate djvu file integrity before processing, particularly when handling user-uploaded content. Additional protective measures include deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file patterns and implementing application-level sandboxing for djvu processing operations. Security teams should also consider implementing file type validation and content filtering mechanisms that prevent potentially malicious djvu files from reaching the vulnerable library components. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in document processing libraries, particularly those handling complex binary formats that require extensive parsing and decoding operations.