CVE-2017-14039 in OpenJPEG
Summary
by MITRE
A heap-based buffer overflow was discovered in the opj_t2_encode_packet function in lib/openjp2/t2.c in OpenJPEG 2.2.0. The vulnerability causes an out-of-bounds write, which may lead to remote denial of service or possibly unspecified other impact.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2022
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14039 resides within the OpenJPEG 2.2.0 library, specifically in the opj_t2_encode_packet function located in lib/openjp2/t2.c. This flaw represents a critical security issue that can be exploited to compromise system integrity and availability. The vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds write condition that occurs during the encoding process of JPEG 2000 image files, making it particularly dangerous for applications that process user-supplied image data. The flaw stems from inadequate bounds checking within the packet encoding routine, where the function fails to properly validate input parameters before performing memory operations that could overwrite adjacent heap memory regions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of heap memory allocation patterns during JPEG 2000 compression operations. When the opj_t2_encode_packet function processes encoded data packets, it calculates buffer sizes and memory offsets without sufficient validation of input values. This allows attackers to craft malicious JPEG 2000 files that trigger memory corruption during the encoding phase, potentially causing the application to crash or behave unpredictably. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability means that memory corruption occurs in dynamically allocated memory regions rather than on the stack, making detection and exploitation more complex but equally dangerous. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a heap-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented class of memory safety issues that frequently leads to system instability and potential privilege escalation.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14039 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential remote code execution and system compromise. Applications that utilize OpenJPEG 2.2.0 for image processing, including web servers, image editing software, and document management systems, become vulnerable to exploitation. The vulnerability can be triggered through various attack vectors including web uploads, email attachments, or file processing operations that accept JPEG 2000 format input. This makes it particularly dangerous in environments where untrusted user input is processed without proper sanitization. The remote exploitation capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the use of malicious files to gain remote access or execute arbitrary code on target systems. The out-of-bounds write condition can potentially be leveraged to overwrite critical memory structures or function pointers, creating opportunities for privilege escalation and persistent access to compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14039 require immediate patching of affected OpenJPEG installations to version 2.3.0 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the heap overflow condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures for all JPEG 2000 file processing operations, including the use of memory safety tools and runtime protections such as address space layout randomization. The vulnerability highlights the importance of regular security updates and vulnerability management processes within enterprise environments. Security teams should conduct thorough assessments of all systems utilizing OpenJPEG libraries and implement monitoring for suspicious file processing activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the use of sandboxing techniques and restricted execution environments can help contain potential exploitation attempts while patches are being deployed across the organization. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for memory safety in image processing libraries and the potential consequences of inadequate bounds checking in cryptographic and multimedia software components.