CVE-2017-8355 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
In ImageMagick 7.0.5-5, the ReadMTVImage function in mtv.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-2017-8355 represents a critical memory leak flaw within ImageMagick's image processing library, specifically affecting version 7.0.5-5. This issue resides in the ReadMTVImage function located within the mtv.c source file, which handles the parsing of MTV format files. The MTV format is a proprietary image format used primarily in certain gaming and multimedia applications, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for systems that process untrusted image files from external sources. The flaw manifests when ImageMagick attempts to read maliciously crafted MTV files, leading to improper memory management that results in progressive memory consumption without adequate cleanup.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory deallocation mechanisms within the MTV file parsing routine. When the ReadMTVImage function encounters a malformed or specially crafted MTV file, it fails to properly release allocated memory resources, causing a gradual accumulation of memory usage that can eventually exhaust system resources. This memory leak behavior aligns with CWE-401, which categorizes improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation as a fundamental weakness in software design. The vulnerability operates at the application level, where the image processing library fails to maintain proper resource boundaries during file parsing operations, creating a persistent memory consumption issue that can be exploited by attackers to disrupt service availability.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-8355 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can be leveraged in various attack scenarios that align with tactics described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category for network denial of service. Systems that utilize ImageMagick for automated image processing, web applications that accept user-uploaded images, or content management systems that process multimedia files become vulnerable to this memory exhaustion attack. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in server environments where multiple image processing operations occur, as the cumulative effect of memory leaks can cause system instability, application crashes, or complete service outages. Additionally, this flaw can be exploited as part of a broader attack chain where attackers first establish memory exhaustion conditions before attempting other exploitation techniques.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8355 should prioritize immediate patching of affected ImageMagick installations to version 7.0.5-6 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the memory leak issue. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures for all image file processing workflows, including the implementation of file size limits and timeout mechanisms to prevent prolonged memory consumption. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of systems that process untrusted image files. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory usage patterns and automated alerting for processes consuming excessive resources. System administrators should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for image processing operations and regularly audit image processing workflows to identify potential attack vectors that could exploit similar memory management issues. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust memory management practices and proper input validation in security-critical applications, aligning with defensive strategies recommended in both NIST SP 800-160 and ISO/IEC 27001 security frameworks.