CVE-2017-14249 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
ImageMagick 7.0.6-8 Q16 mishandles EOF checks in ReadMPCImage in coders/mpc.c, leading to division by zero in GetPixelCacheTileSize in MagickCore/cache.c, allowing 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-2017-14249 represents a critical denial of service flaw within ImageMagick's processing pipeline, specifically affecting version 7.0.6-8 Q16. This issue stems from improper end-of-file validation mechanisms within the ReadMPCImage function located in the coders/mpc.c source file. The flaw demonstrates a classic software engineering oversight where the application fails to properly validate input file boundaries before proceeding with subsequent processing operations. When a maliciously crafted file is processed, the system's failure to correctly identify EOF conditions triggers a cascading error that ultimately manifests as a division by zero operation.
The technical execution path begins with the flawed EOF handling in ReadMPCImage, which allows the processing engine to continue parsing beyond legitimate file boundaries. This condition creates an unstable state where memory management operations become unpredictable, particularly when the GetPixelCacheTileSize function in MagickCore/cache.c attempts to calculate tile dimensions. The division by zero error occurs because the calculation relies on a value that becomes invalid due to the improper file boundary handling. This mathematical error causes the application to terminate unexpectedly, resulting in a complete denial of service for the affected system.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to any system that processes user-uploaded images or handles image file conversions through ImageMagick. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can trigger the denial of service condition without requiring local access or authentication, making it particularly dangerous in web applications, file processing services, or any environment where third-party image files are accepted. The vulnerability affects systems running ImageMagick 7.0.6-8 Q16 and potentially other versions within the same release series, creating a broad attack surface across various deployment environments.
The flaw aligns with CWE-369, which specifically addresses the division by zero vulnerability pattern, and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to critical system failures. From an attacker's perspective, this vulnerability maps to the attack technique of resource exhaustion or application crash, which is categorized under the broader ATT&CK framework's system service disruption tactics. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service interruption, as it can be leveraged to create persistent availability issues that may affect business operations, particularly in environments where image processing is critical to core business functions.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as the vulnerability does not require complex exploitation techniques or specialized knowledge to trigger. The recommended mitigation strategy involves upgrading to ImageMagick version 7.0.6-9 or later, which includes the necessary fixes for the EOF validation logic. Additionally, implementing input validation measures such as file format checking, size limitations, and sandboxed processing environments can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Security teams should also consider monitoring for unusual application termination patterns or resource consumption spikes that might indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where automated image processing workflows exist.