CVE-2017-5511 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
coders/psd.c in ImageMagick allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact by leveraging an improper cast, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/27/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5511 resides within the ImageMagick image processing library, specifically in the coders/psd.c file responsible for handling Photoshop Document format files. This flaw represents a critical security issue that demonstrates how improper type casting can lead to severe memory corruption vulnerabilities. The vulnerability occurs when ImageMagick processes malformed PSD files, creating conditions where an attacker can manipulate the casting behavior to trigger a heap-based buffer overflow. Such buffer overflows are particularly dangerous because they can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause application crashes, making them attractive targets for malicious actors seeking to compromise systems that process untrusted image files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from a specific casting operation that fails to properly validate data types during the processing of PSD file headers and metadata. When ImageMagick encounters certain malformed PSD structures, the improper cast causes memory allocation calculations to become incorrect, resulting in buffer overflows that can be leveraged for code execution. This issue is classified under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow and underflow conditions, and more broadly relates to CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow conditions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to exploit the flaw without requiring local access, making it a significant threat in web applications and services that process user-uploaded images.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5511 extends far beyond simple application instability, as it provides attackers with potential pathways to achieve remote code execution on systems running vulnerable versions of ImageMagick. Systems that process PSD files from untrusted sources become vulnerable to exploitation, including web servers, content management systems, and any application that utilizes ImageMagick for image processing. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or denial of service conditions that can disrupt business operations. From an adversarial perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which involves the use of remote code execution capabilities, and represents a common attack vector for lateral movement and privilege escalation within compromised environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-5511 should focus on immediate patching of affected ImageMagick versions, as well as implementing comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures. Organizations should prioritize updating to patched versions of ImageMagick, specifically those released after the vulnerability disclosure, and consider implementing network-level protections such as content filtering and sandboxing techniques. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts targeting this specific vulnerability pattern provides an additional layer of defense. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing to ensure that patched versions maintain application functionality while eliminating the buffer overflow conditions. Security teams should also consider implementing principle of least privilege access controls for image processing services and monitoring for unusual file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.