CVE-2017-17500 in GraphicsMagick
Summary
by MITRE
ReadRGBImage in coders/rgb.c in GraphicsMagick 1.3.26 has a magick/import.c ImportRGBQuantumType heap-based buffer over-read via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17500 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read flaw within GraphicsMagick version 1.3.26, specifically within the ReadRGBImage function located in coders/rgb.c. This issue arises from improper bounds checking during the processing of RGB image files, where the software fails to validate the size of input data against allocated memory buffers. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read, which occurs when a program attempts to read memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through crafted malicious image files that manipulate the quantum type during import operations, as referenced in magick/import.c where the ImportRGBQuantumType function processes the data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when GraphicsMagick processes specially crafted RGB image files that contain malformed quantum data structures. During the import process, the software reads quantum values without proper validation of the data size relative to the allocated buffer space, leading to memory corruption that can result in information disclosure, application crashes, or potentially remote code execution depending on the system configuration. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code on target systems. The heap-based nature of the buffer over-read means that the vulnerability can be particularly challenging to detect and exploit consistently, as heap memory management can introduce unpredictable behavior patterns.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-17500 extends beyond simple application instability, as it represents a potential vector for privilege escalation attacks when GraphicsMagick is used in server environments or web applications. Systems that process untrusted image files, such as content management systems, image processing services, or web applications accepting user uploads, become vulnerable to this flaw. The vulnerability can be triggered through various attack vectors including web application file uploads, email attachments, or any automated image processing workflows. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and bounds checking in image processing libraries, as the flaw exists in the core import functionality that handles numerous image formats. The potential for information disclosure through memory leaks makes this particularly concerning for environments where sensitive data might be inadvertently exposed through the buffer over-read mechanism.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17500 should focus on immediate patching of GraphicsMagick to version 1.3.27 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer over-read vulnerability. Organizations should implement strict input validation policies for all image file processing, including file type verification, size limits, and content scanning before processing. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can help reduce the attack surface by limiting which systems can process potentially malicious image files. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file processing patterns or memory access violations that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing sandboxing mechanisms for image processing operations and regular security assessments of image handling components can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper memory management and bounds checking in multimedia processing libraries, particularly those handling untrusted input data from diverse sources.