CVE-2017-17782 in GraphicsMagick
Summary
by MITRE
In GraphicsMagick 1.3.27a, there is a heap-based buffer over-read in ReadOneJNGImage in coders/png.c, related to oFFs chunk allocation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2017-17782 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read flaw in GraphicsMagick version 1.3.27a that occurs during the processing of JNG (JPEG Network Graphics) image files. This issue is particularly concerning as it affects the core image handling functionality of the software, which is widely used for image manipulation and conversion tasks across various platforms and applications. The vulnerability specifically manifests within the ReadOneJNGImage function located in the coders/png.c source file, indicating that it stems from improper handling of image metadata structures during the parsing process.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper allocation and handling of memory for the oFFs chunk within JNG image files. The oFFs chunk contains offset information that specifies where image data should be positioned within the overall image structure. When GraphicsMagick processes malformed or specially crafted JNG files, the software fails to properly validate the size of the oFFs chunk before attempting to read from allocated memory regions. This leads to a buffer over-read condition where the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially exposing sensitive data or causing application instability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security risks to systems that process untrusted image files, particularly in web applications, content management systems, and automated image processing pipelines. Attackers could exploit this flaw by crafting malicious JNG files that, when processed by GraphicsMagick, would trigger the buffer over-read condition. The impact extends beyond simple application crashes, as the over-read could potentially expose memory contents to attackers, leading to information disclosure or even remote code execution depending on the specific memory layout and surrounding context. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" and represents a classic example of improper input validation that can lead to memory corruption issues.
The exploitation of CVE-2017-17782 follows patterns consistent with the attack techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007: "Command and Scripting Interpreter: JavaScript" and T1203: "Exploitation for Client Execution" categories. Systems utilizing GraphicsMagick for image processing, particularly those that automatically process user-uploaded content, represent high-value targets for exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in server-side applications where GraphicsMagick is used to process images submitted by untrusted users, as it could enable attackers to extract sensitive information from memory or cause denial-of-service conditions that disrupt legitimate operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of GraphicsMagick installations to version 1.3.28 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer over-read condition. Organizations should also implement strict input validation measures, including MIME type checking, file size limitations, and content scanning for potentially malicious image files. Additionally, deploying web application firewalls and implementing proper sandboxing techniques for image processing operations can provide additional layers of protection. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory access patterns and file processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of thorough input validation and proper memory management practices, aligning with security best practices outlined in standards such as OWASP Top Ten and NIST Cybersecurity Framework.