CVE-2017-14136 in OpenCV
Summary
by MITRE
OpenCV (Open Source Computer Vision Library) 3.3 has an out-of-bounds write error in the function FillColorRow1 in utils.cpp when reading an image file by using cv::imread. NOTE: this vulnerability exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2017-12597.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14136 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the OpenCV library version 3.3, specifically within the FillColorRow1 function located in the utils.cpp source file. This issue manifests when the library processes image files through the cv::imread function, which is a fundamental component for image loading across numerous applications and systems that depend on OpenCV for computer vision tasks. The vulnerability stems from an incomplete remediation of a previously discovered flaw, CVE-2017-12597, indicating a pattern of insufficient vulnerability addressing that leaves systems exposed to continued risk.
The technical nature of this flaw involves improper bounds checking during image parsing operations, where the FillColorRow1 function fails to validate array access boundaries when processing specific image formats. This allows an attacker to craft malicious image files that, when processed by cv::imread, can trigger memory corruption through unauthorized write operations beyond allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability operates at the memory management level, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution or system instability when exploited in the context of applications using OpenCV for image processing.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to systems that rely on OpenCV for image handling, including but not limited to security surveillance systems, medical imaging applications, autonomous vehicle software, and various computer vision platforms. The impact extends beyond simple application crashes, as the out-of-bounds write can potentially be leveraged to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application. This makes it particularly dangerous in environments where OpenCV is used in security-sensitive applications or where image processing occurs on untrusted input from external sources.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds write conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for application execution through image file manipulation. Organizations utilizing OpenCV should prioritize immediate remediation through version updates to address this flaw, as the incomplete fix for CVE-2017-12597 indicates that the underlying root cause was not fully resolved. Additionally, implementing input validation measures and restricting image file sources can serve as temporary mitigations while permanent updates are deployed. The vulnerability highlights the importance of thorough vulnerability analysis and complete remediation processes, as partial fixes can leave systems vulnerable to continued exploitation.