CVE-2017-13145 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
In ImageMagick before 6.9.8-8 and 7.x before 7.0.5-9, the ReadJP2Image function in coders/jp2.c does not properly validate the channel geometry, leading to a crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13145 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within ImageMagick's handling of JPEG 2000 image files. This issue affects both the legacy 6.x series and the newer 7.x series of the software, specifically targeting versions prior to 6.9.8-8 and 7.0.5-9 respectively. The vulnerability resides in the ReadJP2Image function located within the coders/jp2.c source file, which is responsible for processing JPEG 2000 image format files. The flaw manifests when the function fails to adequately validate channel geometry parameters during image parsing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through improper validation of channel geometry within JPEG 2000 image structures. When ImageMagick processes a malformed or specially crafted JPEG 2000 file, the ReadJP2Image function does not properly validate the geometric parameters associated with image channels, leading to a potential buffer overflow condition. This validation failure results in memory corruption that ultimately causes the application to crash, creating a denial of service condition. The vulnerability specifically impacts the channel geometry validation process, where the software fails to properly check bounds and parameter values before proceeding with memory allocation and data processing operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that process or render JPEG 2000 images, particularly in environments where users can upload or submit image files. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious JPEG 2000 files that trigger the memory corruption during parsing, causing ImageMagick applications to terminate unexpectedly. This creates a reliable denial of service condition that can be exploited against web applications, file processing systems, or any software that utilizes ImageMagick for image handling. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because JPEG 2000 is a widely supported image format used in various applications including medical imaging, satellite imagery, and digital photography systems.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499.3 for endpoint denial of service attacks. Systems that rely on ImageMagick for image processing, including web servers, content management systems, and digital asset management platforms, become vulnerable to exploitation. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the vulnerability can potentially be leveraged in more sophisticated attacks if combined with other exploits or if the target application does not properly handle crashes or exceptions. Organizations using ImageMagick in production environments should consider this vulnerability as a critical threat requiring immediate remediation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13145 primarily involve upgrading to patched versions of ImageMagick, specifically versions 6.9.8-8 or 7.0.5-9 and later. System administrators should also implement proper input validation and sanitization measures for image file uploads, including file type verification and size limitations. Additionally, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify malformed image file patterns may help detect exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct thorough testing of patched versions to ensure compatibility with existing applications and workflows. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be implemented to identify similar issues in other image processing libraries and software components that may be susceptible to similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.