CVE-2017-17681 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
In ImageMagick 7.0.7-12 Q16, an infinite loop vulnerability was found in the function ReadPSDChannelZip in coders/psd.c, which allows attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU exhaustion) via a crafted psd image file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17681 represents a critical denial of service flaw within ImageMagick's PSD file processing functionality. This issue affects versions up to and including 7.0.7-12 of the ImageMagick library, which is widely used for image manipulation and conversion across numerous applications and systems. The vulnerability specifically resides in the ReadPSDChannelZip function located within the coders/psd.c source file, making it a core component of the image processing pipeline that handles Photoshop Document format files. The flaw manifests when ImageMagick encounters a maliciously crafted PSD file that triggers an infinite loop during the decompression process, leading to excessive CPU consumption and system resource exhaustion.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and loop termination logic within the PSD channel decompression algorithm. When ImageMagick processes a specially crafted PSD file, the ReadPSDChannelZip function enters an infinite loop due to malformed compression data that causes the decompression routine to repeatedly process the same data segments without proper exit conditions. This behavior directly maps to CWE-835, which defines the weakness of infinite loops or infinite recursion in software implementations. The vulnerability operates at the level of the image processing library itself, meaning that any application relying on ImageMagick for PSD file handling becomes susceptible to this attack vector, regardless of the application's own security measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-17681 extends beyond simple system performance degradation, as it can be exploited to create a complete denial of service condition that renders systems unresponsive. Attackers can craft malicious PSD files that, when processed by vulnerable ImageMagick installations, cause CPU utilization to spike to 100% and maintain this state indefinitely until the system is manually restarted or the process is terminated. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web applications and services that accept user-uploaded images, as it can be leveraged to disrupt service availability for legitimate users. The attack requires minimal sophistication and can be executed through simple file upload mechanisms, making it a preferred vector for denial of service attacks in environments where ImageMagick is used for image processing.
From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion. The flaw represents a classic example of how image processing libraries can become attack vectors when they fail to implement proper input validation and robust error handling. Organizations using ImageMagick for image processing should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where untrusted image files are processed. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper software supply chain security, as it demonstrates how seemingly benign image processing functionality can be weaponized for system compromise. Mitigation strategies should include immediate version updates to patched releases of ImageMagick, implementation of input validation controls, and consideration of alternative image processing libraries that have demonstrated stronger resistance to similar vulnerabilities.