CVE-2017-6851 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
The jas_matrix_bindsub function in jas_seq.c in JasPer 2.0.10 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid read) via a crafted image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/09/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6851 resides within the JasPer library version 2.0.10, specifically in the jas_matrix_bindsub function located in the jas_seq.c source file. This flaw represents a critical security issue that affects systems relying on JasPer for image processing and manipulation. The vulnerability manifests as an invalid memory read condition that can be triggered remotely through the careful crafting of image files, making it particularly dangerous for applications that process untrusted image data from external sources. The JasPer library serves as a comprehensive image processing toolkit that supports multiple image formats including jpeg2000, making it a widely adopted component in various software applications and systems.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the jas_matrix_bindsub function. When processing crafted image files, the function fails to properly validate array bounds and memory access patterns, leading to an invalid read operation that attempts to access memory locations outside the allocated buffer space. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of buffer over-read conditions as classified by CWE-125, where the application reads memory beyond the intended buffer boundaries. The flaw occurs during the sequence processing operations where the library attempts to bind sub-sequences within matrices, and the improper handling of boundary conditions results in memory access violations that can crash the application or potentially be exploited for more severe consequences.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that utilize JasPer for image processing, particularly those handling user-uploaded content or processing images from untrusted sources. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can craft malicious image files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, will trigger the denial of service condition. This can lead to system crashes, application instability, and potential service disruption for legitimate users. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service as such vulnerabilities often serve as stepping stones for more sophisticated attacks, potentially allowing attackers to gain insights into memory layout or even execute arbitrary code under certain conditions. The vulnerability affects a wide range of applications including web servers, image processing software, and content management systems that depend on JasPer for image handling capabilities.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6851 primarily involve immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by the JasPer project maintainers. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to JasPer versions that contain fixes for this vulnerability, typically those released after the vulnerability disclosure. Additionally, implementing input validation measures at the application level can provide an additional layer of defense by sanitizing image files before processing them through the JasPer library. Network-level protections such as content filtering and image validation can help prevent malicious files from reaching vulnerable applications. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual application behavior or crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service, and should be considered in threat modeling exercises for systems processing image data. Organizations should also implement proper access controls and sandboxing mechanisms to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.