CVE-2017-8344 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
In ImageMagick 7.0.5-5, the ReadPCXImage function in pcx.c allows attackers to cause a denial of service (memory leak) via a crafted file.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8344 resides within ImageMagick version 7.0.5-5, specifically within the ReadPCXImage function located in the pcx.c source file. This flaw represents a memory leak condition that can be exploited by malicious actors through the careful crafting of PCX image files. The vulnerability manifests when the software processes specially constructed PCX format files that contain malformed data structures, leading to improper memory management during the image parsing process. Such memory leaks occur when the application allocates memory for processing image data but fails to properly release that memory upon completion of the operation, creating a gradual consumption of system resources over time.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the PCX image reader component. When ImageMagick encounters a crafted PCX file, the ReadPCXImage function does not properly handle malformed header information or compressed data segments that could cause the memory allocation routines to be called repeatedly without corresponding deallocation. This results in a progressive accumulation of allocated memory that remains unreleased, ultimately leading to system performance degradation or complete system exhaustion. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where ImageMagick is used to process untrusted image files from external sources.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant denial of service condition that can be leveraged by attackers to disrupt services that depend on ImageMagick for image processing. The memory leak can be amplified through repeated processing of malicious files, causing systems to consume increasing amounts of memory until system resources are exhausted. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in web applications, content management systems, or any service that accepts user-uploaded images and processes them through ImageMagick. The attack surface is broad since PCX files are commonly used in various contexts and can be embedded in different file formats or delivered through multiple attack vectors, including email attachments, file sharing platforms, or web uploads.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-401, which specifically addresses improper release of memory, and represents a classic example of resource leak that can be exploited for denial of service attacks. From the ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability falls under the T1499.004 technique for Network Denial of Service, as it enables an attacker to consume system resources and potentially cause service disruption. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of T1566.001 for Valid Account Access, as it can be exploited through legitimate file processing operations without requiring elevated privileges. Organizations using ImageMagick for image processing should consider implementing strict file validation, input sanitization, and memory monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation of this vulnerability. The recommended mitigation includes updating to ImageMagick version 7.0.5-6 or later, where the memory leak issue has been addressed through improved input validation and proper memory management practices.