CVE-2017-5503 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
The dec_clnpass function in libjasper/jpc/jpc_t1dec.c in JasPer 1.900.27 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid memory write and crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5503 resides within the JasPer library version 1.900.27, specifically in the dec_clnpass function located in libjasper/jpc/jpc_t1dec.c. This flaw represents a critical security issue that affects systems processing image files through the JasPer library, which is widely used for handling various image formats including jpeg2000. The vulnerability manifests when the library processes crafted malicious image files that exploit improper memory handling during the decoding process, creating conditions that can lead to system instability and potential exploitation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the dec_clnpass function. When processing malformed image data, the function fails to properly bounds-check array accesses and validate memory allocation parameters, leading to invalid memory write operations that can corrupt program memory structures. This type of flaw falls under CWE-121, which encompasses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and potentially CWE-787, representing out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities. The improper handling of image data structures during the T1 decoding process creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory pointers and execute arbitrary code sequences that ultimately result in program crashes or system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks depending on the environment where the affected library is deployed. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to cause system crashes through carefully crafted image files, effectively creating a denial of service condition that impacts availability of services relying on image processing capabilities. In certain scenarios, the memory corruption could potentially be exploited to execute arbitrary code, though this requires additional conditions and is not guaranteed. The vulnerability affects any system that utilizes JasPer 1.900.27 for image processing, including web applications, image servers, and content management systems that accept user-uploaded images.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5503 should prioritize immediate patching of affected JasPer library installations to version 2.0.14 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the memory handling issues. Organizations should implement input validation controls that sanitize image file uploads and employ strict file format checking before processing any image data. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual patterns in image processing activities. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploitation of remote services through crafted input data, and represents a common attack vector in software libraries that process untrusted data streams. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potentially affected components within the software ecosystem that may utilize vulnerable versions of the JasPer library.