CVE-2017-8327 in ImageWorsener
Summary
by MITRE
The bmpr_read_uncompressed function in imagew-bmp.c in libimageworsener.a in ImageWorsener before 1.3.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory consumption) via a crafted image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8327 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the ImageWorsener library, specifically affecting versions prior to 1.3.1. This issue resides in the bmpr_read_uncompressed function located within the imagew-bmp.c file of the libimageworsener.a component. The vulnerability manifests when the library processes specially crafted bitmap images, leading to excessive memory consumption that can ultimately result in system resource exhaustion and service disruption. The flaw demonstrates particular concern for remote attackers who can exploit this weakness by uploading or delivering maliciously formatted bitmap files to systems utilizing the vulnerable library.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory allocation handling within the bitmap reading functionality. When the bmpr_read_uncompressed function processes malformed bitmap data, it fails to properly validate the image dimensions and memory requirements before allocating resources. This deficiency allows attackers to craft bitmap files containing exaggerated or malicious dimension values that cause the library to allocate excessive memory buffers. The vulnerability operates under CWE-129, which classifies it as an Improper Validation of Array Index, and also aligns with CWE-772, addressing Missing Release of Resource after Effective Lifetime, as the allocated memory is not properly managed or released during the processing of malformed input. The flaw essentially creates a resource exhaustion scenario where the system's memory consumption grows uncontrollably, leading to potential system instability or complete service unavailability.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8327 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can severely affect systems that rely on ImageWorsener for image processing tasks. Web applications, content management systems, and image processing services that accept user-uploaded images become particularly vulnerable to this attack vector. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack paths including file uploads, image processing pipelines, and any system that processes bitmap images without proper validation. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers Network Denial of Service, and also relates to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage in crafting malicious payloads. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the memory exhaustion without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in web-facing applications where user input is processed.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8327 primarily focus on upgrading to ImageWorsener version 1.3.1 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the memory allocation issues in the bmpr_read_uncompressed function. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures, including strict image format checking and dimension validation before processing any bitmap files. Network-level defenses such as rate limiting and content filtering can help reduce the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing proper memory monitoring and resource allocation limits can help prevent complete system exhaustion even if exploitation occurs. Security teams should also consider deploying web application firewalls and implementing proper image processing sandboxing to isolate vulnerable components from critical system resources. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper resource management in image processing libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of third-party components used in production environments.