CVE-2017-2580 in netpbm
Summary
by MITRE
An out-of-bounds write vulnerability was found in netpbm before 10.61. A maliciously crafted file could cause the application to crash or possibly allow code execution.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2580 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the netpbm image processing library suite, specifically affecting versions prior to 10.61. This issue resides in the core functionality of netpbm, a widely-used collection of tools for manipulating portable anymap image formats including ppm, pgm, and pbm. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the image parsing routines that process various bitmap formats. When the application encounters malformed or specially crafted image files, the parsing logic fails to properly bounds-check array accesses, leading to memory corruption that can manifest as application crashes or more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer overflow condition where the software attempts to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries of a designated buffer. This flaw occurs during the processing of image metadata or pixel data structures, where the application calculates buffer sizes based on potentially malicious input values. The out-of-bounds write can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program state, stack pointers, or function return addresses, which creates opportunities for exploitation. According to CWE classification, this vulnerability maps to CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, which is categorized under the broader weakness of improper bounds checking in memory management operations. The flaw particularly affects the image processing pipeline where the application reads image headers and subsequently allocates memory based on header values without sufficient validation of their legitimacy.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-2580 extends beyond simple application instability to encompass potential security breaches and system compromise. Since netpbm is commonly integrated into various network services, web applications, and automated image processing workflows, an attacker could leverage this vulnerability through file upload mechanisms or by tricking users into processing maliciously crafted images. The exploitation scenario typically involves crafting a specially formatted image file that, when processed by netpbm, triggers the out-of-bounds write condition. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of netpbm. The vulnerability's impact is particularly concerning in environments where netpbm is used in server-side image processing, as it could allow remote code execution and complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2580 focus primarily on immediate version upgrades to netpbm 10.61 or later, which contain the necessary patches addressing the bounds-checking deficiencies. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all systems utilizing netpbm are updated promptly. Additional defensive measures include input validation at multiple layers, implementing strict file format verification before processing, and deploying sandboxing mechanisms to isolate image processing operations. Network-level controls such as content filtering and file type validation can prevent malicious files from reaching vulnerable systems. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of secure coding practices including bounds checking, memory safety validations, and comprehensive testing of input processing routines. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory access patterns and application crashes that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing principle of least privilege controls for systems running netpbm, limiting the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.