CVE-2017-13064 in GraphicsMagick
Summary
by MITRE
GraphicsMagick 1.3.26 has a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the function GetStyleTokens in coders/svg.c:311:12.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2022
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13064 exists within GraphicsMagick version 1.3.26, specifically within the GetStyleTokens function located in the coders/svg.c file at line 311. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that can be exploited through improper memory management during the processing of svg graphics files. The flaw occurs when the application attempts to write data beyond the allocated heap buffer boundaries, creating potential opportunities for arbitrary code execution or system compromise. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the svg parsing component that handles style token extraction and processing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of svg files that contain malformed style attributes or excessive data within style token sequences. When GraphicsMagick processes such malicious inputs, the GetStyleTokens function fails to properly validate the size of data being copied into heap-allocated buffers, leading to memory corruption. This type of flaw falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, though the heap-based nature of this particular vulnerability requires specific attention to heap memory management practices. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic weakness in memory safety where the application does not adequately check array bounds before performing memory operations, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory regions.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13064 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides potential attack vectors for remote code execution and system compromise. An attacker could craft malicious svg files that, when processed by GraphicsMagick applications, trigger the buffer overflow condition and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This vulnerability affects web applications, content management systems, and any software that relies on GraphicsMagick for image processing, particularly those handling user-uploaded content. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that svg files are commonly used in web environments and can be easily embedded in various web applications, making the attack surface particularly broad.
Organizations utilizing GraphicsMagick should implement immediate mitigations to address this vulnerability, including updating to version 1.3.27 or later where the buffer overflow has been patched. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds checking and input validation within the GetStyleTokens function to ensure that data copied into heap buffers does not exceed allocated memory boundaries. Additional defensive measures include deploying input sanitization mechanisms that validate svg file contents before processing, implementing memory protection techniques such as stack canaries, and utilizing address space layout randomization to complicate exploitation attempts. Security professionals should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious svg file uploads, while monitoring for unusual processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities, and represents a critical target for security hardening efforts across enterprise environments that depend on image processing capabilities.