CVE-2017-17783 in GraphicsMagick
Summary
by MITRE
In GraphicsMagick 1.3.27a, there is a buffer over-read in ReadPALMImage in coders/palm.c when QuantumDepth is 8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/18/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2017-17783 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw in GraphicsMagick version 1.3.27a that specifically affects the ReadPALMImage function within the coders/palm.c file. This issue occurs when the QuantumDepth parameter is set to 8, creating a scenario where the application attempts to read memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the PALM image format parser, which processes proprietary Palm OS image files. Such buffer over-read conditions can potentially expose sensitive data from adjacent memory locations or trigger unpredictable application behavior that may be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of image data structures during the parsing process of PALM format files. When GraphicsMagick processes a malformed or specially crafted PALM image file with QuantumDepth set to 8, the ReadPALMImage function fails to properly bounds-check array accesses or memory allocations. This allows an attacker to construct a malicious image file that, when processed by the vulnerable software, causes the application to read beyond the intended memory buffer. The underlying cause aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities, and the flaw manifests as a direct consequence of insufficient input sanitization and memory boundary validation. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory safety and image processing, where the parsing logic assumes proper data structure alignment without adequate defensive programming measures.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-17783 extends beyond simple application instability to potentially enable remote code execution or information disclosure attacks. When exploited, this vulnerability could allow attackers to extract sensitive information from memory, potentially including cryptographic keys, user credentials, or other confidential data stored in adjacent memory segments. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in web environments where GraphicsMagick is used for image processing, as it could be triggered through user-uploaded image files or automated image processing pipelines. Attackers could leverage this flaw to gain unauthorized access to system resources or escalate privileges, making it a significant concern for organizations relying on GraphicsMagick for image handling operations. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread use of GraphicsMagick in various applications and systems, including content management systems, image processing servers, and web applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17783 should focus on immediate software updates and input validation enhancements. The primary remediation involves upgrading to GraphicsMagick version 1.3.28 or later, where the buffer over-read issue has been addressed through proper bounds checking and memory management improvements. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures that include strict file format verification, size limitation checks, and automated malware scanning for image files processed through GraphicsMagick. Additional defensive measures include deploying web application firewalls, implementing strict file type validation, and using sandboxed environments for image processing operations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of following secure coding practices such as those recommended in the OWASP Secure Coding Guidelines and the CERT Secure Coding Standards, which emphasize the need for robust input validation and memory safety mechanisms. System administrators should monitor for exploitation attempts through log analysis and implement network-based intrusion detection systems to identify potential attack patterns targeting this specific vulnerability.