CVE-2017-13065 in GraphicsMagick
Summary
by MITRE
GraphicsMagick 1.3.26 has a NULL pointer dereference vulnerability in the function SVGStartElement in coders/svg.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/16/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13065 represents a critical NULL pointer dereference flaw within GraphicsMagick version 1.3.26, specifically affecting the SVGStartElement function located in the coders/svg.c source file. This issue arises during the processing of Scalable Vector Graphics files, which are commonly used for rendering vector graphics in various applications and systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the SVG parsing logic, creating a scenario where the application attempts to dereference a NULL pointer when encountering malformed or specially crafted SVG content. Such a flaw can have severe implications for systems that rely on GraphicsMagick for image processing tasks, particularly in environments where untrusted input is processed.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a malicious SVG file that triggers the SVGStartElement function to access a NULL pointer reference. This typically happens when the parsing logic fails to properly initialize or validate certain data structures before attempting to access their members. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL Pointer Dereference, a well-documented weakness that can lead to application crashes, denial of service conditions, and potentially more severe consequences depending on the execution environment. The flaw exists in the SVG coder component of GraphicsMagick, which is responsible for handling vector graphics format parsing and conversion operations, making it a prime target for exploitation in systems that process user-uploaded or externally sourced SVG content.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-13065 extends beyond simple application instability, as it can be leveraged to create denial of service conditions that affect system availability and potentially provide a foothold for more sophisticated attacks. When exploited successfully, the NULL pointer dereference causes the GraphicsMagick process to crash or terminate unexpectedly, which can be particularly problematic in server environments where continuous availability is critical. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, as compromised systems may become unavailable due to repeated crashes. Systems that process SVG files from untrusted sources, including web applications, content management systems, and image processing pipelines, are particularly at risk. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including web uploads, email attachments, or any mechanism that processes SVG content without proper sanitization.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13065 should focus on immediate patching of GraphicsMagick installations to version 1.3.27 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the NULL pointer dereference issue. Organizations should implement robust input validation and sanitization measures for all SVG content processing, including the use of sandboxed environments and strict file format validation. The implementation of proper error handling and defensive programming practices within the application code can help prevent similar issues from occurring in other components. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual process termination patterns and system crashes related to image processing operations. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of systems that process SVG content, particularly in multi-tenant environments where user input is involved. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other image processing libraries and applications within the organization's infrastructure.