CVE-2017-13746 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
There is a reachable assertion abort in the function jpc_dec_process_siz() in jpc/jpc_dec.c:1297 in JasPer 2.0.12 that will lead to a remote denial of service attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13746 represents a critical remote denial of service flaw within the JasPer 2.0.12 image processing library. This issue manifests in the jpc_dec_process_siz() function located within the jpc/jpc_dec.c source file at line 1297, where a reachable assertion abort occurs during the processing of JPEG 2000 image files. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and error handling mechanisms that fail to properly manage malformed or maliciously crafted JPEG 2000 data streams, creating a scenario where an attacker can trigger an abrupt program termination through carefully constructed input parameters.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the absence of proper bounds checking and validation within the JPEG 2000 decoder's size processing routine. When the jpc_dec_process_siz() function encounters malformed data structures or unexpected parameter values during the SIZ marker segment processing, it executes an assertion that causes the application to terminate abruptly rather than gracefully handling the error condition. This assertion failure occurs because the function does not adequately validate the size parameters or memory allocation requirements before proceeding with the decoding process, leading to an unhandled exception that results in service disruption.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems that rely on JasPer for image processing, particularly those exposed to untrusted input sources such as web applications, content management systems, or file upload services. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this flaw without requiring local access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous in environments where JPEG 2000 image files are processed from external sources. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption to potentially disrupt critical workflows in applications that depend on reliable image processing capabilities, with potential cascading effects on downstream services that rely on successful image handling operations.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-617, which addresses reachable assertions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-129, concerning improper validation of array index values. From an attack framework perspective, this issue maps to the ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1059.007, involving command and scripting interpreter usage for exploitation. The flaw essentially creates a path for attackers to cause application crashes through controlled input manipulation, making it a prime candidate for DoS attacks against services that process image files. Organizations should prioritize patching this vulnerability in their JasPer implementations, particularly in web applications, image processing servers, and any system that accepts user-uploaded image content. Additionally, implementing input validation measures, sandboxing image processing operations, and deploying network monitoring to detect anomalous processing patterns can help mitigate the risk of exploitation.
The remediation approach should focus on upgrading to JasPer versions that contain the patched implementation of the jpc_dec_process_siz() function, where proper error handling and input validation have been implemented to prevent assertion failures. Security teams should also consider implementing defensive programming practices such as input sanitization, memory bounds checking, and graceful error recovery mechanisms in applications that utilize JasPer libraries. Regular security assessments of image processing pipelines and monitoring for unusual application termination patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts and provide early warning of active attacks against vulnerable systems.