CVE-2017-16545 in GraphicsMagick
Summary
by MITRE
The ReadWPGImage function in coders/wpg.c in GraphicsMagick 1.3.26 does not properly validate colormapped images, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (ImportIndexQuantumType invalid write and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a malformed WPG image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16545 resides within the GraphicsMagick library's handling of WPG (Word Perfect Graphics) image files through the ReadWPGImage function located in coders/wpg.c. This flaw represents a critical security issue affecting version 1.3.26 of the GraphicsMagick software, which is widely used for image processing and manipulation in various applications and systems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of colormapped image data structures during the parsing process, creating a pathway for maliciously crafted WPG files to exploit memory handling inconsistencies.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the ReadWPGImage function processes malformed WPG image files that contain improperly structured colormapped data. The flaw manifests as an invalid write operation to ImportIndexQuantumType, a critical memory location within the GraphicsMagick processing pipeline. This invalid write typically results in application crashes due to memory corruption, but the vulnerability may also potentially enable more sophisticated attacks depending on the execution environment and memory layout. The issue specifically affects the handling of indexed color images where the color table references exceed valid memory boundaries or contain malformed data structures.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for systems that process untrusted image files, particularly web applications, content management systems, and image processing services that accept user-uploaded media. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to execute denial of service attacks by simply uploading or referencing malicious WPG files, causing legitimate applications to crash and potentially making the service unavailable to legitimate users. The vulnerability's potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that under certain conditions, it might enable privilege escalation, information disclosure, or other security compromises beyond simple service disruption.
The vulnerability maps to CWE-121 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions and memory corruption issues. This classification indicates that the flaw involves improper handling of memory boundaries during image data processing. Additionally, the vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Execution) and T1499.004 (Endpoint Denial of Service) in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, demonstrating how attackers can leverage image processing libraries to achieve system compromise or service disruption. Organizations using GraphicsMagick should prioritize immediate patching and implementation of input validation controls to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-16545 include immediate upgrading to GraphicsMagick version 1.3.27 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the colormapped image validation issue. System administrators should also implement strict input validation for all image file uploads, particularly for WPG format files, and consider implementing sandboxed processing environments for image manipulation tasks. Network-level defenses such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can provide additional protection by blocking suspicious image file types or malformed content before it reaches vulnerable applications. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potential weaknesses in image processing pipelines and ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities.