CVE-2017-9114 in OpenEXR
Summary
by MITRE
In OpenEXR 2.2.0, an invalid read of size 1 in the refill function in ImfFastHuf.cpp could cause the application to crash.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9114 represents a critical memory safety issue within the OpenEXR image processing library version 2.2.0. This library serves as a fundamental component for high dynamic range imaging operations across numerous creative and scientific applications, making the flaw particularly concerning from a cybersecurity perspective. The vulnerability manifests as an invalid read operation that occurs during the processing of compressed image data, specifically within the FastHuf decompression functionality that handles Huffman encoding schemes used in OpenEXR file format compression.
The technical flaw exists within the refill function located in the ImfFastHuf.cpp source file, where the application performs memory access operations that exceed valid buffer boundaries. This invalid read of size 1 indicates that the code attempts to read a single byte from memory locations that have not been properly validated or allocated, creating a potential pathway for denial of service attacks or more severe exploitation scenarios. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the Huffman decompression algorithm implementation, which fails to properly verify the integrity of compressed data streams before processing them.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability can lead to application crashes and system instability when processing maliciously crafted OpenEXR files, potentially disrupting workflows in creative industries, film production pipelines, and scientific computing environments that rely on this library. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the vulnerability could be exploited in a broader context where OpenEXR files are processed automatically, such as in content management systems, digital asset management platforms, or automated rendering pipelines. Security researchers have classified this issue under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read, which aligns with the observed behavior of accessing memory beyond allocated buffers.
The vulnerability's exploitability is enhanced by the widespread adoption of OpenEXR across various software ecosystems, including major applications like Adobe After Effects, Blender, and numerous professional rendering engines. Attackers could leverage this weakness to create denial of service conditions by submitting specially crafted OpenEXR files that trigger the invalid read condition, potentially causing cascading failures in dependent systems. This type of vulnerability also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks, where the exploitation targets software components to disrupt service availability.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected OpenEXR installations to version 2.2.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the boundary checking issues in the refill function. Organizations should implement input validation controls for all OpenEXR file processing workflows, including sandboxing mechanisms and strict file format verification procedures. Additionally, security monitoring should include detection of unusual application crashes or memory access patterns when processing image files, particularly in environments where automated processing occurs. The fix implemented in the patched versions addresses the root cause by introducing proper bounds checking and input validation within the decompression routines, preventing the invalid memory read conditions that previously led to application instability and potential crash scenarios.