CVE-2017-17913 in GraphicsMagick
Summary
by MITRE
In GraphicsMagick 1.4 snapshot-20171217 Q8, there is a stack-based buffer over-read in WriteWEBPImage in coders/webp.c, related to an incompatibility with libwebp versions, 0.5.0 and later, that use a different structure type.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2023
The vulnerability CVE-2017-17913 represents a critical stack-based buffer over-read condition affecting GraphicsMagick version 1.4 snapshot-20171217 Q8. This flaw manifests within the WriteWEBPImage function located in the coders/webp.c source file, demonstrating how legacy software fails to maintain compatibility with evolving third-party libraries. The issue specifically arises from an incompatibility between GraphicsMagick's implementation and libwebp versions 0.5.0 and later, which introduced structural changes that the older GraphicsMagick code cannot properly handle during image processing operations.
The technical root cause stems from GraphicsMagick's inability to properly account for structural differences in libwebp's internal data representation. When processing webp image files, the software attempts to read from memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, creating a condition where arbitrary memory contents may be accessed and potentially exposed. This over-read behavior occurs because GraphicsMagick's code assumes a specific memory layout that was valid in earlier libwebp versions but no longer applies to the newer library structures introduced in version 0.5.0. The vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a classic example of how software dependencies can introduce security flaws when not properly maintained or updated.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory access violations, as it creates potential attack vectors for remote code execution or information disclosure. An attacker could exploit this condition by crafting malicious webp image files that trigger the buffer over-read during image processing, potentially allowing for arbitrary code execution in applications that use GraphicsMagick for image handling. The vulnerability affects systems where GraphicsMagick is used for image conversion or processing, particularly in web applications, content management systems, or any environment where user-uploaded images are processed. This makes it particularly dangerous in server environments where image processing is a common operation, as it could enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources or extract sensitive information from memory.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-17913 require immediate attention through software updates and dependency management. The most effective approach involves upgrading to GraphicsMagick versions that properly support libwebp 0.5.0 and later, or applying patches that address the structural compatibility issues. System administrators should also implement input validation measures, including image file type verification and size limitations, to reduce the attack surface. Additionally, deploying web application firewalls and implementing proper sandboxing techniques for image processing operations can help contain potential exploitation attempts. Organizations using affected systems should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all instances where GraphicsMagick is utilized for image handling, particularly in environments where user uploads are processed, as these represent the highest risk scenarios for exploitation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for command and script interpreter abuse, as exploitation may involve command execution through compromised image processing pipelines.