CVE-2017-9116 in OpenEXR
Summary
by MITRE
In OpenEXR 2.2.0, an invalid read of size 1 in the uncompress function in ImfZip.cpp could cause the application to crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/06/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9116 represents a critical memory safety issue within the OpenEXR image processing library version 2.2.0. This flaw manifests as an invalid read operation of size 1 occurring within the uncompress function located in the ImfZip.cpp source file. The OpenEXR library serves as a professional-grade image file format and software suite widely utilized in high-end visual effects and animation production environments where image data integrity and system stability are paramount. The affected library is commonly integrated into digital content creation workflows including film production, video game development, and scientific visualization applications where it handles complex multi-channel image data with extensive compression algorithms.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the decompression logic of the ZIP compression algorithm implementation. When processing malformed or specially crafted image files, the uncompress function fails to properly validate the boundaries of memory access operations, resulting in a read operation that attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This type of memory corruption vulnerability falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to application instability and potential exploitation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs during the decompression phase of image processing, meaning that any application relying on OpenEXR for image handling could be susceptible to denial of service attacks through carefully crafted input files.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9116 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially disrupt entire production pipelines in creative industries. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause applications to terminate unexpectedly during image loading or processing operations, leading to workflow interruptions and potential data loss. In professional environments where artists and technicians work with large image datasets, such instability can result in significant productivity losses and require time-consuming recovery procedures. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal input crafting effort, making it particularly dangerous in scenarios where users might unknowingly process maliciously constructed image files. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which describes the use of software exploitation to cause system instability or denial of service conditions. The vulnerability affects not only standalone applications but also integrated systems where OpenEXR serves as a core component, including digital content creation suites, rendering engines, and image processing pipelines that depend on the library's robust handling of compressed image data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9116 primarily focus on immediate software updates and deployment of patched versions of the OpenEXR library. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to OpenEXR version 2.2.1 or later, which includes proper boundary checking and input validation fixes within the ImfZip.cpp file. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems utilizing OpenEXR components receive timely updates. Additionally, implementing input sanitization measures such as file format validation and content scanning can provide defense-in-depth protection against malformed image files. Security teams should consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file processing patterns and implement access controls to limit exposure to untrusted image sources. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date software libraries in high-stakes environments where application stability directly impacts business operations and creative output quality.