CVE-2017-14265 in LibRaw
Summary
by MITRE
A Stack-based Buffer Overflow was discovered in xtrans_interpolate in internal/dcraw_common.cpp in LibRaw before 0.18.3. It could allow a remote denial of service or code execution attack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/28/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14265 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the LibRaw library's image processing functionality. This issue resides in the xtrans_interpolate function located in internal/dcraw_common.cpp, affecting all versions prior to 0.18.3. The LibRaw library serves as a fundamental component for processing raw digital camera images, making this vulnerability particularly concerning given its widespread use in photography applications, image processing software, and digital asset management systems. The flaw manifests when the library processes malformed or specially crafted raw image files that trigger improper memory allocation during the interpolation process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the stack-based memory allocation mechanism. When the xtrans_interpolate function processes image data, it fails to validate the size of input parameters before performing stack operations that could exceed allocated buffer boundaries. This allows an attacker to craft malicious image files that, when processed by vulnerable LibRaw versions, cause the stack to overflow and overwrite adjacent memory locations. The nature of stack-based buffer overflows makes this vulnerability particularly dangerous as it can lead to arbitrary code execution when carefully crafted input causes the program to jump to attacker-controlled memory addresses. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows memory corruption through stack operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14265 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities that could be exploited in various attack vectors. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability by delivering malicious image files through web applications, email attachments, or digital asset management systems that utilize LibRaw for image processing. The remote exploitation capability makes this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors as it allows for automated attacks against vulnerable systems without requiring local access. This vulnerability has been classified under ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for execution through the manipulation of memory through buffer overflow conditions. The affected systems include any applications or services that depend on LibRaw for raw image processing, encompassing photo editing software, digital asset management platforms, and web-based image processing services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14265 primarily focus on immediate version updates to LibRaw 0.18.3 or later, which contain the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should prioritize patching all affected applications that utilize LibRaw components, particularly those handling user-uploaded content or processing external image files. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation controls that sanitize image file parameters before processing, deploying network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable services, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect anomalous image processing activities. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted image processing workflows and maintain regular vulnerability assessments to identify other potential buffer overflow conditions within the software supply chain. The remediation process must also include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that the security fix does not introduce regressions in legitimate image processing functionality.