CVE-2017-16663 in sam2p
Summary
by MITRE
In sam2p 0.49.4, there are integer overflows (with resultant heap-based buffer overflows) in input-bmp.ci in the function ReadImage, because "width * height" multiplications occur unsafely.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16663 represents a critical security flaw in the sam2p 0.49.4 software package, specifically within the input-bmp.ci module. This issue manifests as integer overflows that subsequently lead to heap-based buffer overflows, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors. The vulnerability resides in the ReadImage function where the multiplication operation "width * height" is performed without proper overflow checking, allowing attackers to manipulate input parameters to trigger unintended behavior. The root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which describes integer overflow conditions that can result in buffer overflows and other memory corruption issues.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the software processes bitmap image files, particularly during the parsing of image dimensions. When an attacker provides maliciously crafted image data with excessively large width and height values, the multiplication operation width * height can exceed the maximum value that can be represented by the integer type used in the calculation. This overflow results in a much smaller value than expected, which then gets used to allocate memory for the image buffer. The subsequent heap-based buffer overflow occurs because the allocated buffer size is insufficient to accommodate the actual image data that would be processed, creating opportunities for memory corruption and potential code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-16663 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can potentially enable remote code execution or arbitrary code execution in vulnerable systems. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting specially formatted bitmap files that, when processed by sam2p, trigger the integer overflow condition. This vulnerability affects systems that utilize sam2p for image format conversion or processing, particularly in environments where untrusted input is processed without proper validation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in automated processing systems or web applications that accept image uploads, as it could be exploited through file upload vulnerabilities or as part of a broader attack chain targeting image processing components.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the sam2p software to version 0.49.5 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the integer overflow conditions. Additionally, input validation measures should be implemented to verify image dimensions before processing, including checks for maximum allowable width and height values that prevent multiplication results from exceeding safe integer limits. The implementation of bounds checking and safe integer arithmetic operations can prevent similar vulnerabilities in other software components. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for image processing operations and monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper integer overflow protection in memory management operations and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers the exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and code execution. The fix for this vulnerability exemplifies the principle of defensive programming and the need for robust input validation in security-critical applications.