CVE-2017-17880 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
In ImageMagick 7.0.7-16 Q16 x86_64 2017-12-21, there is a stack-based buffer over-read in WriteWEBPImage in coders/webp.c, related to a WEBP_DECODER_ABI_VERSION check.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2017-17880 represents a critical stack-based buffer over-read flaw in ImageMagick's WEBP image format handling component. This issue specifically affects ImageMagick version 7.0.7-16 Q16 x86_64 released on December 21, 2017, and stems from improper validation during the WEBP image writing process. The vulnerability manifests within the WriteWEBPImage function located in the coders/webp.c source file, where a lack of proper bounds checking allows maliciously crafted WEBP images to trigger unauthorized memory access patterns.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the inadequate handling of the WEBP_DECODER_ABI_VERSION check during image processing operations. When ImageMagick attempts to write WEBP images, the software fails to properly validate the decoder version compatibility, leading to a situation where the application reads beyond the allocated stack buffer boundaries. This over-read condition occurs because the software does not sufficiently validate input parameters or maintain proper memory alignment when processing specific WEBP format structures, particularly those related to decoder interface versions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, presenting significant security risks to systems processing untrusted image content. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious WEBP images that, when processed by vulnerable ImageMagick installations, trigger the buffer over-read condition. This can result in information disclosure, application crashes, or potentially more severe consequences depending on the execution environment. The vulnerability affects any system where ImageMagick is used for image processing, including web servers, content management systems, and file processing applications that accept user-uploaded images.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations, and represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to memory safety issues. From an attack perspective, this flaw maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage, as exploitation may involve crafting specific image payloads to trigger memory corruption. The vulnerability also connects to T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities, particularly in file format processing components. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of ImageMagick, implementing strict file format validation, and employing sandboxing techniques when processing untrusted image content to prevent exploitation of this buffer over-read condition.