CVE-2017-2811 in Kakadu
Summary
by MITRE
A code execution vulnerability exists in the Kakadu SDK 7.9's parsing of compressed JPEG 2000 images. A specially crafted JPEG 2000 file can be read by the program, and can lead to an out of bounds write causing an exploitable condition to arise.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/07/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-2811 represents a critical code execution flaw within the Kakadu SDK version 7.9, specifically manifesting during the parsing of compressed jpeg 2000 image files. This issue falls under the category of memory corruption vulnerabilities and demonstrates how seemingly benign image processing operations can be weaponized for malicious purposes. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the sdk's jpeg 2000 decompression routines, creating a pathway for attackers to manipulate memory layout through carefully crafted malformed image data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through an out of bounds write condition that arises when the kakadu sdk processes specially crafted jpeg 2000 files. When the sdk attempts to parse these malicious images, the decompression algorithm fails to properly validate array indices or buffer boundaries, allowing an attacker to write data beyond the allocated memory space. This memory corruption can overwrite critical program structures, function pointers, or return addresses, enabling arbitrary code execution. The flaw aligns with common software security weaknesses documented in cwe-787 out of bounds write and cwe-121 heap based buffer overflow, both of which are frequently targeted by exploit developers due to their reliability and exploitability across different platforms.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to organizations relying on kakadu sdk for image processing applications, particularly those handling untrusted image data from external sources. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as successful exploitation can result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in web applications, document processing systems, or any environment where users can upload or download jpeg 2000 images, as these scenarios provide ideal attack vectors for remote exploitation. According to attack techniques documented in the mitre att&ck framework, this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of initial access or privilege escalation phases in cyber attack campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-2811 should prioritize immediate remediation through official sdk updates from developer ucl, as the vulnerability requires core library modifications to address the underlying parsing logic. Organizations should implement input validation measures at application layers, including image format verification and size limitation checks before processing any jpeg 2000 content. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional defense in depth, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous image processing activities. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for image processing operations and regularly audit their software dependencies to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia processing libraries, particularly those handling complex compressed formats where parsing errors can lead to severe security consequences.