CVE-2017-8346 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
In ImageMagick 7.0.5-5, the ReadDCMImage function in dcm.c allows attackers to cause a denial of service (memory leak) via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/02/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8346 resides within ImageMagick version 7.0.5-5, specifically within the ReadDCMImage function located in the dcm.c source file. This issue represents a denial of service condition that manifests through memory leaks, making it particularly dangerous in environments where ImageMagick processes untrusted image files. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-401 as a failure to release memory resources, which directly impacts system stability and resource availability. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine) files that, when processed by ImageMagick, trigger excessive memory consumption leading to system resource exhaustion.
The technical flaw occurs during the parsing of DICOM image files where the ReadDCMImage function fails to properly manage memory allocation and deallocation processes. When processing malformed DICOM files, the function allocates memory resources to store image data and metadata but does not subsequently free these allocations, creating a memory leak that accumulates over time. This memory consumption pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 which involves resource exhaustion attacks targeting memory resources. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because DICOM files are commonly used in medical imaging environments where automated processing systems may encounter these files without proper validation, making the attack surface broader than initially apparent.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8346 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire systems in resource-constrained environments. Memory leaks can gradually consume available system resources until the application becomes unresponsive or crashes entirely, which can be particularly devastating in medical imaging systems where continuous availability is critical. In web applications that utilize ImageMagick for image processing, attackers could submit malicious DICOM files to cause denial of service against the web server, effectively preventing legitimate users from accessing services. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in security-critical software components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8346 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most direct solution involves upgrading to ImageMagick version 7.0.5-6 or later, where the memory leak has been addressed through proper memory management practices. Organizations should implement strict input validation and file type checking before processing any image files, particularly those from untrusted sources. Network segmentation and application-level firewalls can help limit the potential impact of such attacks by restricting access to vulnerable ImageMagick processing components. Additionally, implementing memory monitoring and alerting systems can help detect anomalous memory usage patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also underscores the need for comprehensive security testing including fuzzing and memory analysis tools to identify similar issues in other image processing libraries and security-critical applications.