CVE-2017-14248 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
A heap-based buffer over-read in SampleImage() in MagickCore/resize.c in ImageMagick 7.0.6-8 Q16 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14248 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read condition within ImageMagick's SampleImage function located in MagickCore/resize.c. This flaw exists in version 7.0.6-8 Q16 and specifically affects the image processing library's handling of malformed input files. The vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking during the image resizing operation where the SampleImage function fails to properly validate buffer boundaries when processing crafted image data. Attackers can exploit this weakness by preparing malicious image files that trigger the buffer over-read condition during the image processing workflow.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of image data structures that are processed through ImageMagick's core resizing algorithms. When a malicious file is processed, the SampleImage function attempts to read beyond the allocated heap memory boundaries, causing unpredictable behavior that can lead to application crashes or denial of service conditions. This type of buffer over-read vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 category of Out-of-bounds Read, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue in software development. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices where the software does not adequately verify the size and structure of incoming image data before processing it through memory-intensive operations.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for systems that utilize ImageMagick for image processing, particularly in web applications and content management systems that accept user-uploaded images. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to perform denial of service attacks against vulnerable systems, potentially causing service disruption and availability issues for legitimate users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where ImageMagick is used as a backend service for image processing, such as web servers, cloud storage platforms, or digital asset management systems. The attack vector requires minimal privileges and can be executed through simple file uploads, making it a preferred target for automated exploitation campaigns.
The exploitation of CVE-2017-14248 aligns with several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1499 Endpoint Denial of Service, as attackers can cause service disruption through crafted input files. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of ImageMagick, implementing strict input validation for image files, and deploying network segmentation to limit exposure. The vulnerability highlights the importance of memory safety practices and proper bounds checking in image processing libraries. Security teams should also consider implementing file type validation, size limitations, and sandboxing mechanisms to prevent exploitation of similar buffer over-read conditions. Additionally, regular security assessments of image processing workflows and comprehensive monitoring for abnormal resource consumption patterns can help detect potential exploitation attempts. The incident underscores the necessity of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those defined by the CWE and MITRE ATT&CK frameworks to prevent similar vulnerabilities in critical software components.