CVE-2017-12447 in gdk-pixbuf
Summary
by MITRE
GdkPixBuf (aka gdk-pixbuf), possibly 2.32.2, as used by GNOME Nautilus 3.14.3 on Ubuntu 16.04, allows attackers to cause a denial of service (stack corruption) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted file folder.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2017-12447 affects GdkPixBuf, a library component within the GNOME ecosystem that handles image loading and manipulation. This issue specifically manifests in GNOME Nautilus file manager version 3.14.3 running on Ubuntu 16.04 systems where the gdk-pixbuf library version 2.32.2 is utilized. The flaw represents a critical security concern that demonstrates how image processing libraries can become attack vectors when handling malformed input data. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the GdkPixBuf library, which is responsible for loading various image formats including but not limited to jpeg, png, gif, and bmp. When a crafted file folder containing maliciously formatted image data is processed by Nautilus, the library fails to properly validate the input structure, leading to potential stack corruption during the image parsing process.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory regions. The flaw occurs during the image loading process when the library attempts to parse malformed image headers or metadata structures that are not properly validated. This creates an opportunity for attackers to craft specific file folder structures that contain specially crafted image data which, when processed by Nautilus, triggers memory corruption. The stack corruption can potentially lead to program termination or more severe consequences depending on the memory layout and the specific conditions under which the overflow occurs. The vulnerability demonstrates how the principle of least privilege and input sanitization fails when dealing with complex multimedia file formats that require extensive parsing logic.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-12447 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks. When an attacker successfully exploits this vulnerability through a crafted file folder, they can cause Nautilus to crash, resulting in a denial of service that disrupts file management operations for the affected user. However, the potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that under certain conditions, this vulnerability might be exploitable for more serious consequences including arbitrary code execution. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction - simply opening a maliciously crafted file folder in Nautilus can trigger the vulnerability. This makes it a prime target for social engineering attacks where users might be tricked into opening seemingly benign folders that contain the maliciously crafted image files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-12447 should focus on immediate patching of the affected gdk-pixbuf library components. System administrators should ensure that all Ubuntu 16.04 systems have been updated with the latest security patches that address this vulnerability. The recommended approach includes applying the security updates provided by Canonical for Ubuntu 16.04 and verifying that the updated gdk-pixbuf library versions properly handle malformed input data. Additionally, organizations should implement network-level controls that prevent users from accessing untrusted file folders and consider deploying automated scanning tools that can detect and quarantine potentially malicious image files. From an operational security perspective, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted file folders and the importance of keeping their systems updated. The vulnerability also highlights the need for robust input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia processing libraries, emphasizing the ATT&CK technique of privilege escalation through software supply chain compromises when such vulnerabilities are exploited in targeted attacks.