CVE-2017-18252 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in ImageMagick 7.0.7. The MogrifyImageList function in MagickWand/mogrify.c allows attackers to cause a denial of service (assertion failure and application exit in ReplaceImageInList) via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-18252 represents a critical denial of service flaw within ImageMagick version 7.0.7, specifically targeting the MogrifyImageList function located in the MagickWand/mogrify.c source file. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms when processing specially crafted image files, creating a scenario where legitimate application behavior becomes compromised through malicious input manipulation. The flaw manifests as an assertion failure that ultimately results in application termination, effectively preventing legitimate users from utilizing the software functionality.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of image file formats that trigger improper handling within the ReplaceImageInList function, which serves as the underlying mechanism where the assertion failure occurs. When ImageMagick attempts to process a crafted file through the MogrifyImageList function, the software's internal state validation mechanisms detect an unexpected condition that violates established assumptions, leading to the assertion failure. This particular assertion failure is not merely a benign error condition but rather a critical point where the application's execution flow is disrupted, causing an abrupt exit that constitutes a denial of service attack vector.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability significantly impacts the availability and reliability of systems that depend on ImageMagick for image processing tasks, particularly in web applications, content management systems, and automated processing pipelines. The denial of service condition can be triggered by any user or process capable of submitting image files to the vulnerable system, making it a particularly dangerous flaw in environments where user-uploaded content is processed without proper sanitization. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple service interruption as it can be leveraged to create persistent availability issues, especially when the affected software serves as a critical component in larger processing workflows.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-611, which addresses improper access control in software systems, as the flaw enables unauthorized users to disrupt service availability through crafted input. Additionally, this issue relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, as the vulnerability allows for service disruption through input manipulation rather than network-level attacks. The flaw also demonstrates characteristics of CWE-248, improper exception handling, since the application fails to properly manage exceptional conditions that should be gracefully handled rather than causing application termination.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of ImageMagick to versions that address the assertion failure in ReplaceImageInList function, as the most effective solution. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures for all image processing workflows, particularly in web applications where user-uploaded content is processed. Additionally, deploying application-level firewalls and implementing rate limiting mechanisms can help reduce the impact of potential exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that can detect unusual application termination patterns or resource consumption spikes that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper error handling and validation in image processing libraries, as these components often serve as entry points for broader system compromise attempts.