CVE-2017-17502 in GraphicsMagick
Summary
by MITRE
ReadCMYKImage in coders/cmyk.c in GraphicsMagick 1.3.26 has a magick/import.c ImportCMYKQuantumType 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-2017-17502 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read flaw within GraphicsMagick version 1.3.26, specifically within the ReadCMYKImage function located in coders/cmyk.c. This issue arises from improper validation of input data during the processing of CMYK color format image files, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted input can cause the application to read beyond allocated memory boundaries. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it occurs during the import phase of image processing, making it exploitable when GraphicsMagick handles user-supplied or untrusted image files. The flaw exists in the magick/import.c file where the ImportCMYKQuantumType function fails to properly bounds-check array accesses, leading to unauthorized memory access patterns that could result in information disclosure or application instability.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions where a program reads data past the end of a buffer, and also relates to CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations. This heap-based buffer over-read occurs when the application processes a specially crafted CMYK image file that contains malformed metadata or color channel information. The vulnerability is classified as a remote code execution risk in certain contexts, as an attacker could potentially construct an image file that triggers the over-read condition during normal image processing operations. The flaw demonstrates a classic memory safety issue where insufficient input validation leads to predictable buffer access violations that can be leveraged for various attack vectors including denial of service, information leakage, or potentially arbitrary code execution depending on the specific implementation and memory layout.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-17502 extends beyond simple application crashes or hangs, as it represents a fundamental security weakness that can be exploited in web applications, file processing services, or any system that relies on GraphicsMagick for image handling. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause applications to crash unpredictably or leak sensitive memory contents, potentially exposing cryptographic keys, user data, or system information. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a software exploitation technique under the T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution or T1059 - Command and Scripting Interpreter tactics, as it can be leveraged to execute malicious code within the context of the vulnerable application. Systems that process untrusted image files from web uploads, email attachments, or file sharing platforms are particularly at risk, as they provide the perfect attack surface for exploitation. The vulnerability affects not only direct applications using GraphicsMagick but also any service or platform that depends on it for image processing capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17502 should include immediate patching of GraphicsMagick to version 1.3.27 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer over-read condition. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures for all image file processing workflows, including the use of file type detection, size limits, and format validation before any processing occurs. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious image files, while application-level sandboxing and privilege separation can limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect the presence of vulnerable GraphicsMagick versions in their infrastructure. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should be conducted to identify other potential buffer over-read vulnerabilities in similar image processing libraries and applications. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual application behavior or memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and incident response procedures should be established to quickly address any potential breaches. The fix implemented in the patched version addresses the root cause by properly validating the quantum type and ensuring that all buffer accesses remain within allocated memory boundaries, preventing the over-read condition that previously enabled exploitation.