CVE-2017-12982 in OpenJPEG
Summary
by MITRE
The bmp_read_info_header function in bin/jp2/convertbmp.c in OpenJPEG 2.2.0 does not reject headers with a zero biBitCount, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory allocation failure) in the opj_image_create function in lib/openjp2/image.c, related to the opj_aligned_alloc_n function in opj_malloc.c.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2022
The vulnerability described in CVE-2017-12982 resides within the OpenJPEG 2.2.0 library, specifically within the bitmap handling functionality that processes JPEG 2000 image files. This flaw manifests in the bmp_read_info_header function located in bin/jp2/convertbmp.c, which fails to properly validate input headers containing a zero value for the biBitCount field. The biBitCount field in bitmap headers typically specifies the number of bits per pixel, and when this value is zero, it creates an invalid state that should be rejected by the parsing logic. The vulnerability represents a classic case of insufficient input validation that can be exploited to trigger resource exhaustion conditions in the underlying image processing system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious bitmap file with a zero biBitCount value and feeds it to an application using OpenJPEG 2.2.0 for image processing. During the parsing phase, the bmp_read_info_header function accepts this malformed header without proper validation, allowing the processing to continue to the opj_image_create function in lib/openjp2/image.c. This function attempts to allocate memory resources based on the invalid bit count value, leading to a memory allocation failure that ultimately results in a denial of service condition. The memory allocation failure is further exacerbated by the opj_aligned_alloc_n function in opj_malloc.c, which is responsible for the actual memory management operations and becomes unable to fulfill the malformed allocation requests.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to represent a significant security concern for applications that process untrusted image data. Systems using OpenJPEG 2.2.0 for image conversion, rendering, or processing operations become vulnerable to remote denial of service attacks that can be executed with minimal privileges and without requiring authentication. The vulnerability affects any application that relies on OpenJPEG for bitmap processing, including web applications, image processing servers, and content management systems that accept user-uploaded images. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it can be executed remotely through any interface that processes bitmap files, making it a widespread risk across various deployment scenarios.
Organizations and developers should consider this vulnerability in the context of established security frameworks and threat modeling approaches. From a CWE perspective, this vulnerability maps to CWE-129, which addresses insufficient validation of length of input buffers, and CWE-704, which covers incorrect type conversion or cast. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a denial of service technique that leverages resource exhaustion, specifically through memory allocation failure. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of OpenJPEG to version 2.3.0 or later, where this vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation. Additionally, implementing input validation controls at application layers, using sandboxing techniques, and employing strict file format validation can provide defense-in-depth measures. Network segmentation and monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns can also help detect exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that all image processing components are updated to secure versions.