CVE-2017-16352 in GraphicsMagick
Summary
by MITRE
GraphicsMagick 1.3.26 is vulnerable to a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability found in the "Display visual image directory" feature of the DescribeImage() function of the magick/describe.c file. One possible way to trigger the vulnerability is to run the identify command on a specially crafted MIFF format file with the verbose flag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16352 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within GraphicsMagick version 1.3.26, specifically affecting the DescribeImage() function in the magick/describe.c source file. This flaw manifests when processing specially crafted MIFF format files through the identify command with verbose output enabled, creating a scenario where memory corruption can occur due to improper bounds checking during image description operations. The vulnerability falls under the category of memory safety issues and is classified as a heap overflow according to CWE-122, which specifically addresses insufficient checking of the size of a heap-based buffer. The root cause stems from inadequate input validation when parsing MIFF file structures, allowing attackers to manipulate the heap memory layout through crafted file contents that exceed expected buffer boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as heap overflows can potentially enable remote code execution or arbitrary code execution depending on the execution environment and memory layout. When the identify command processes a malicious MIFF file with verbose output, the DescribeImage() function fails to properly validate the size of data structures before copying them into fixed-size heap buffers. This allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting heap metadata or executable code, which could lead to privilege escalation or system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where GraphicsMagick is used to process untrusted image files, such as web applications, file processing services, or automated image analysis systems. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a memory corruption vulnerability that could be leveraged for privilege escalation through code injection techniques, specifically under the T1068 privilege escalation tactic.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16352 should focus on immediate patching of GraphicsMagick to versions 1.3.27 or later where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper bounds checking and input validation. System administrators should implement strict file validation procedures for all image processing workflows, particularly when handling untrusted inputs from web forms, file uploads, or external sources. Network segmentation and sandboxing of image processing components can provide additional defense-in-depth measures to limit potential exploitation impact. Input sanitization techniques including MIME type verification, file format validation, and size limitation controls should be enforced before any image processing operations. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in image processing libraries, emphasizing the need for regular security audits of third-party libraries used in critical applications. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect the presence of vulnerable GraphicsMagick versions in their environments, as well as monitoring for suspicious file processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.