CVE-2017-5225 in LibTIFF
Summary
by MITRE
LibTIFF version 4.0.7 is vulnerable to a heap buffer overflow in the tools/tiffcp resulting in DoS or code execution via a crafted BitsPerSample value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/02/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5225 affects LibTIFF version 4.0.7 and represents a critical heap buffer overflow condition within the tiffcp utility. This flaw occurs when processing TIFF image files with specifically crafted BitsPerSample values that exceed the allocated memory boundaries. The vulnerability resides in the TIFF file processing pipeline where the application fails to properly validate input parameters before allocating heap memory for image data processing. The heap buffer overflow manifests when the BitsPerSample field contains values that cause integer overflow or improper bounds checking during memory allocation calculations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the improper handling of the BitsPerSample parameter which controls the number of bits used to represent each sample in a TIFF image. When an attacker provides a maliciously crafted BitsPerSample value, the tiffcp tool performs arithmetic operations that result in insufficient memory allocation for the subsequent image data processing. This insufficient allocation creates a scenario where subsequent memory writes exceed the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially corrupting adjacent heap memory regions. The vulnerability can be triggered through any operation that processes TIFF files through the tiffcp utility, including file copying, conversion, or metadata extraction operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution under certain conditions. The heap buffer overflow can be exploited to overwrite critical memory structures, function pointers, or return addresses, thereby allowing an attacker to redirect program execution flow. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where the tiffcp utility processes untrusted TIFF files from external sources, such as web applications, email attachments, or file upload systems. The vulnerability affects systems running LibTIFF 4.0.7 and earlier versions, making it a widespread concern across various operating systems and applications that depend on this library for TIFF file processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5225 primarily focus on updating to patched versions of LibTIFF where the input validation has been strengthened and memory allocation bounds checking has been implemented. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of all systems where LibTIFF is installed, particularly those processing untrusted TIFF files. Additionally, implementing input validation measures at the application level can provide defense-in-depth, ensuring that BitsPerSample values fall within expected ranges before being passed to LibTIFF processing functions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in heap memory regions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, as it enables remote code execution through improper input handling in image processing utilities. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and file validation policies to prevent untrusted TIFF files from reaching systems that process these files through vulnerable utilities.