CVE-2017-14042 in GraphicsMagick
Summary
by MITRE
A memory allocation failure was discovered in the ReadPNMImage function in coders/pnm.c in GraphicsMagick 1.3.26. The vulnerability causes a big memory allocation, which may lead to remote denial of service in the MagickRealloc function in magick/memory.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14042 represents a critical memory allocation failure within GraphicsMagick version 1.3.26, specifically within the ReadPNMImage function located in coders/pnm.c. This flaw manifests as an excessive memory allocation request that can overwhelm system resources and potentially result in remote denial of service conditions. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the image processing pipeline, particularly when handling PNM (Portable Any Map) image formats which are commonly used for storing raster graphics data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when GraphicsMagick processes malformed PNM image files that contain maliciously crafted dimensions or metadata values. The ReadPNMImage function fails to properly validate the size parameters specified in the image header, allowing an attacker to specify extremely large dimensions that result in massive memory allocation requests. When the MagickRealloc function in magick/memory.c attempts to fulfill these requests, it encounters memory allocation failures that can cause the application to crash or become unresponsive, effectively creating a denial of service condition. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-772, which specifically addresses Missing Release of Memory after Effective Lifetime, and represents a classic example of resource exhaustion through improper input handling.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14042 extends beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential system compromise in environments where GraphicsMagick serves as a core component of image processing workflows. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability by uploading or providing malicious PNM image files to systems running vulnerable GraphicsMagick versions, leading to denial of service against web applications, image processing services, or content management systems that rely on this library. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in web-facing applications where users can upload arbitrary image files, as it allows for remote code execution or system compromise through resource exhaustion attacks. According to ATT&CK framework category T1499, this vulnerability maps to the technique of Resource Exhaustion, where adversaries consume system resources to prevent legitimate use of services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14042 should prioritize immediate patching of GraphicsMagick installations to version 1.3.27 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for proper memory allocation validation. System administrators should implement input validation measures at network boundaries to filter out potentially malicious image files before they reach processing systems. Additionally, deploying memory monitoring tools and implementing resource limits for image processing applications can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and memory management practices, aligning with security best practices outlined in NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 frameworks for preventing memory-related vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for image processing components to contain potential exploitation attempts and limit the impact of similar vulnerabilities in the future.