CVE-2017-5504 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
The jpc_undo_roi function in libjasper/jpc/jpc_dec.c in JasPer 1.900.27 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid memory read and crash) via a crafted image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5504 resides within the JasPer library version 1.900.27, specifically in the jpc_undo_roi function located in libjasper/jpc/jpc_dec.c. This flaw represents a critical security issue that enables remote attackers to execute a denial of service attack through the manipulation of crafted image files. The vulnerability manifests when the library processes malformed image data, leading to an invalid memory read condition that ultimately results in a crash of the affected application. The JasPer library serves as a comprehensive image processing toolkit supporting multiple formats including jpeg2000, making it a widely used component in various software applications and systems.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the jpc_undo_roi function. When processing image data, the function fails to properly validate the boundaries and structure of region of interest (ROI) parameters within jpeg2000 files. This lack of proper boundary checking allows attackers to craft malicious image files that contain malformed ROI data, which when processed by the vulnerable library triggers an invalid memory read operation. The flaw specifically occurs during the decoding process where the library attempts to access memory locations that have not been properly allocated or validated, leading to a segmentation fault and subsequent application crash. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation leading to memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5504 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can affect numerous applications and systems that rely on the JasPer library for image processing capabilities. Any software application that accepts user-uploaded images or processes jpeg2000 formatted files becomes a potential target for this attack, including web applications, image processing servers, and multimedia applications. The remote nature of the attack means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability without requiring local access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in internet-facing applications. The vulnerability can be leveraged to create persistent denial of service conditions, potentially allowing attackers to repeatedly crash services and disrupt legitimate user access to applications. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and demonstrates how memory corruption vulnerabilities can be weaponized for service disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5504 primarily focus on updating to patched versions of the JasPer library, with version 2.0.14 and later providing the necessary fixes for this vulnerability. System administrators should prioritize patching affected applications that utilize the vulnerable library, particularly those handling user-provided image content. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict input validation and sanitization for all image file processing, deploying network segmentation to limit exposure, and utilizing application whitelisting to prevent execution of vulnerable software components. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual crash patterns or service disruptions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date third-party libraries and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures for image processing components within applications. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should include evaluation of image processing libraries to identify similar memory corruption vulnerabilities that could be exploited for similar denial of service attacks.