CVE-2017-9093 in ImageWorsener
Summary
by MITRE
The my_skip_input_data_fn function in imagew-jpeg.c in libimageworsener.a in ImageWorsener 1.3.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via a crafted image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9093 resides within the ImageWorsener library version 1.3.1, specifically in the my_skip_input_data_fn function located in the imagew-jpeg.c file. This flaw represents a critical security issue that can be exploited by remote attackers to trigger a denial of service condition through the manipulation of JPEG image data. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the JPEG parsing routine, creating a scenario where malformed image data can cause the processing function to enter an infinite loop state.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of JPEG data streams during the input data skipping process. When the my_skip_input_data_fn function encounters crafted image data that violates expected JPEG format specifications, it fails to properly terminate its loop execution. This occurs because the function does not adequately validate the skip parameters or check for boundary conditions that would normally prevent such infinite iteration patterns. The flaw is particularly concerning as it operates at the core parsing layer of JPEG image processing, making it accessible through any application that utilizes the affected libimageworsener library for image handling.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability can severely compromise the availability of systems that process user-uploaded images or handle external image data. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness by uploading or providing maliciously crafted JPEG files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, cause the target system to enter an infinite loop. This results in excessive CPU consumption and can effectively render the affected service unavailable to legitimate users. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web applications, content management systems, and any platform that accepts image uploads, as it allows attackers to perform resource exhaustion attacks without requiring authentication or specialized privileges.
The vulnerability maps to CWE-835, which specifically addresses the issue of infinite loops in software implementations. This classification indicates that the flaw represents a fundamental design weakness in the loop termination logic within the JPEG parsing function. From an attack framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion. The attack surface is broad as any application using the affected library becomes vulnerable, including web servers, image processing services, and content management platforms that rely on ImageWorsener for image manipulation tasks.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate library updates to version 1.3.2 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the infinite loop condition. Organizations should implement input validation measures that verify JPEG file integrity before processing, including checking for malformed headers and implementing timeouts for image processing operations. Additionally, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts through unusual processing patterns. The implementation of proper error handling and boundary checking mechanisms within image processing applications can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. Security teams should also consider implementing rate limiting and resource quotas for image processing tasks to prevent exploitation from causing complete system outages.