CVE-2017-15238 in GraphicsMagick
Summary
by MITRE
ReadOneJNGImage in coders/png.c in GraphicsMagick 1.3.26 has a use-after-free issue when the height or width is zero, related to ReadJNGImage.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15238 represents a critical use-after-free flaw within GraphicsMagick version 1.3.26, specifically affecting the ReadOneJNGImage function in the coders/png.c module. This issue manifests when processing JPEG Network Graphics files where either the height or width parameters are set to zero, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management during image parsing operations, where freed memory regions are accessed after the original allocation has been released, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system compromise.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the insufficient validation of image dimensions within the JNG (JPEG Network Graphics) file processing pipeline. When GraphicsMagick encounters a JNG file with zero height or width values, the ReadOneJNGImage function fails to properly handle this edge case, resulting in memory deallocation followed by subsequent memory access. This pattern creates a classic use-after-free condition that aligns with CWE-416, which specifically addresses the use of freed memory. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs during the image parsing phase, making it accessible through various attack vectors including web applications, email attachments, or file processing services that utilize GraphicsMagick for image handling.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-15238 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can enable remote code execution when exploited in the context of applications that process untrusted image files. Attackers can craft malicious JNG files with zero dimensions to trigger the use-after-free condition, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. This vulnerability affects systems running GraphicsMagick 1.3.26 and earlier versions, including web servers, image processing services, and applications that integrate GraphicsMagick for image manipulation. The exploitability of this vulnerability is heightened in environments where GraphicsMagick is used to process user-uploaded images or files from untrusted sources, making it a significant concern for web applications and content management systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of GraphicsMagick to version 1.3.27 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation for image file processing, particularly when handling JNG files, and consider deploying web application firewalls or content filtering solutions to prevent malicious image files from reaching processing systems. Additionally, implementing proper memory safety practices such as using address sanitizers during development and runtime, applying stack canaries, and employing heap metadata protection can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts. From an operational security perspective, regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify similar memory corruption issues within image processing pipelines, and security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adhering to the principle of least privilege when processing untrusted input data, aligning with attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the execution and memory injection categories.