CVE-2017-13747 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
There is a reachable assertion abort in the function jpc_floorlog2() in jpc/jpc_math.c in JasPer 2.0.12 that will lead to a remote denial of service attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-13747 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the JasPer 2.0.12 image processing library. This issue manifests as a reachable assertion abort within the jpc_floorlog2() function located in the jpc/jpc_math.c source file. The JasPer library serves as a comprehensive software solution for handling JPEG 2000 image format operations, making it a widely deployed component in various applications including web servers, image processing systems, and multimedia software platforms. The flaw occurs during the mathematical computation operations that are fundamental to JPEG 2000 encoding and decoding processes, specifically when handling logarithmic calculations for floor operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the jpc_floorlog2() function, which processes mathematical operations that require specific numerical constraints to maintain system stability. When malformed or unexpected input data is processed through this function, the assertion mechanism triggers an abort condition that terminates the executing process. This behavior constitutes a classic example of an assertion failure that can be exploited by remote attackers who craft malicious JPEG 2000 image files designed to trigger the problematic code path. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-617, which specifically addresses reachable assertions that can be triggered by external input, and represents a direct threat to system availability through denial of service attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it can be leveraged by attackers to systematically crash applications that rely on JasPer for image processing functionality. Remote attackers can construct specially crafted JPEG 2000 files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, will trigger the assertion abort and cause the target system to terminate unexpectedly. This creates a significant risk for web applications, content management systems, and any service that accepts user-uploaded image files, as a single malicious upload could bring down the entire service. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires no authentication or elevated privileges, making it accessible to any remote party capable of sending image data to the vulnerable system, which directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-13747 should prioritize immediate patching of affected JasPer installations to version 2.0.13 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to prevent the assertion failure. Organizations should implement input validation measures that sanitize all JPEG 2000 image data before processing, including implementing size limits and format verification checks. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of such attacks by restricting access to vulnerable systems. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for unusual patterns in image processing requests can provide early warning of potential exploitation attempts. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing proper error handling instead of allowing assertion failures to terminate processes, aligning with security best practices for robust software design and input validation as recommended by industry standards and security frameworks.