CVE-2017-17498 in GraphicsMagick
Summary
by MITRE
WritePNMImage in coders/pnm.c in GraphicsMagick 1.3.26 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (bit_stream.c MagickBitStreamMSBWrite heap-based buffer overflow and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17498 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in GraphicsMagick's WritePNMImage function within the coders/pnm.c file. This flaw exists in version 1.3.26 and affects the MagickBitStreamMSBWrite function in bit_stream.c, creating a significant security risk for systems processing image files. The vulnerability manifests when the software processes crafted malicious PNM (Portable AnyMap) image files, which can trigger memory corruption through improper bounds checking during bit stream writing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a heap-based buffer overflow condition that specifically targets the MagickBitStreamMSBWrite function. When GraphicsMagick attempts to write PNM image data to memory, the implementation fails to properly validate input boundaries, allowing attackers to write beyond allocated memory buffers. This memory corruption results in application crashes and can potentially enable more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution depending on the system environment and memory layout. The vulnerability is classified as a heap-based buffer overflow, which falls under CWE-122 according to the Common Weakness Enumeration standards, representing an improper restriction of operations within a memory buffer.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can potentially allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The crash conditions can be reliably triggered through crafted PNM files, making this a significant threat vector for web applications, email servers, and any system processing untrusted image content. Systems utilizing GraphicsMagick for image processing in production environments are particularly at risk, as the vulnerability can be exploited through common attack vectors such as file uploads, email attachments, or web-based image processing services. The potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that under certain conditions, attackers might be able to leverage this vulnerability for privilege escalation or further system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17498 should include immediate patching of GraphicsMagick installations to versions that address the buffer overflow condition in the WritePNMImage function. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization for all image file processing, particularly when handling untrusted content from external sources. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit potential exploitation paths, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual application behavior or crash patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution technique, as it represents a classic remote code execution vector through file processing. Additionally, implementing sandboxing mechanisms for image processing operations and using automated vulnerability scanning tools can help identify and prevent exploitation attempts targeting this specific heap overflow condition.