CVE-2017-12564 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
In ImageMagick 7.0.6-2, a memory leak vulnerability was found in the function ReadMATImage in coders/mat.c, which allows attackers to cause a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-12564 represents a critical memory leak flaw within ImageMagick version 7.0.6-2, specifically affecting the ReadMATImage function located in the coders/mat.c source file. This memory leak occurs when processing MATLAB matrix files, which are commonly used in scientific computing and data analysis environments. The flaw demonstrates a classic insufficient resource management issue that can be exploited by malicious actors to consume system resources progressively until the target system becomes unresponsive or crashes entirely.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory allocation and deallocation practices within the MAT file parsing logic. When ImageMagick processes a specially crafted MATLAB file, the ReadMATImage function fails to properly release allocated memory blocks, leading to a gradual accumulation of memory usage over time. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-401, which specifically addresses insufficient resource management and memory leaks in software systems. The flaw is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through routine file processing operations, making it accessible to attackers who might upload malicious files to systems running vulnerable ImageMagick versions.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for systems that process user-uploaded files or handle automated file conversions, as it enables a straightforward denial of service attack. Attackers can repeatedly submit malicious MATLAB files to consume available system memory, eventually causing the application to crash or become unresponsive. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption since memory leaks can also lead to system instability, performance degradation, and potential system crashes. This vulnerability particularly affects web applications, file processing services, and automated systems that rely on ImageMagick for image format conversion and manipulation.
The attack surface for this vulnerability includes any system that utilizes ImageMagick's MAT file processing capabilities, whether in web applications, file servers, or automated processing pipelines. Systems that accept file uploads from untrusted sources are especially vulnerable, as attackers can craft malicious files that trigger the memory leak during normal processing operations. The exploitation requires minimal technical skill and can be automated, making it a preferred choice for attackers seeking to disrupt services without requiring deep system knowledge. Organizations should consider implementing file type validation, size limitations, and sandboxed processing environments to mitigate exposure to this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to ImageMagick version 7.0.6-3 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the memory leak issue. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and resource monitoring can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion, making it a significant concern for cybersecurity professionals managing file processing systems.