CVE-2017-14441 in SDL2_image
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable code execution vulnerability exists in the ICO image rendering functionality of SDL2_image-2.0.2. A specially crafted ICO image can cause an integer overflow, cascading to a heap overflow resulting in code execution. An attacker can display a specially crafted image to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2017-14441 represents a critical code execution flaw within the SDL2_image library version 2.0.2, specifically affecting the ICO image rendering component. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and integer overflow handling when processing specially crafted ICO files. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that occurs when an integer value exceeds its maximum representable range. The flaw exists in the image parsing logic where the library fails to properly validate the dimensions and memory requirements of ICO files before attempting to allocate heap memory for image data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability begins with an attacker crafting a malicious ICO file that contains manipulated header values indicating oversized image dimensions. When the SDL2_image library processes this file, it performs arithmetic operations on the corrupted dimension values without proper bounds checking. This leads to an integer overflow where the calculated memory requirement becomes significantly smaller than the actual value needed, causing the heap allocation to be insufficient. The subsequent heap overflow occurs when the library attempts to write image data beyond the allocated memory boundaries, potentially corrupting adjacent memory regions and allowing for arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal image display operations, making it exploitable in various contexts including web browsers, media players, and desktop applications that utilize SDL2_image for graphics rendering.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-14441 extends across multiple platforms and applications that depend on SDL2_image for image handling, particularly those processing untrusted image content. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as it enables remote code execution through image processing, and T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation when the target application has elevated privileges. Systems running affected versions of SDL2_image are at risk regardless of whether the application is accessed through web interfaces, local file systems, or network shares, making this a widespread concern for organizations using SDL-based applications. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal user interaction beyond viewing the malicious image, which increases the attack surface significantly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14441 should prioritize immediate patching of all affected SDL2_image installations to version 2.0.3 or later, which includes fixes for the integer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement strict input validation for all image files, particularly those from untrusted sources, by verifying file headers and dimensions before processing. The principle of least privilege should be enforced by running applications using SDL2_image with minimal required permissions, limiting the potential damage from successful exploitation. Network segmentation and content filtering mechanisms can help prevent malicious ICO files from reaching vulnerable applications. Additionally, regular security assessments of applications using SDL2_image should include vulnerability scanning and penetration testing focused on image processing components. Security monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual memory allocation patterns or heap corruption indicators that may suggest exploitation attempts. The fix for this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper integer overflow protection in multimedia libraries and highlights the critical need for comprehensive input validation in image processing pipelines.