CVE-2017-9156 in AutoTrace
Summary
by MITRE
libautotrace.a in AutoTrace 0.31.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid write and SEGV), related to the pnm_load_ascii function in input-pnm.c:303:12.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9156 resides within the AutoTrace 0.31.1 library autotrace, specifically in the libautotrace.a component that handles image processing operations. This flaw manifests as a remote denial of service condition affecting the pnm_load_ascii function located in the input-pnm.c file at line 303, where the function encounters an invalid write operation followed by a segmentation fault. The vulnerability represents a classic buffer overread and memory corruption issue that can be exploited by remote attackers to disrupt the normal operation of applications utilizing this library.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the pnm_load_ascii function which processes portable anymap format image files. When processing malformed or specially crafted pnm files, the function fails to properly validate the input data structure, leading to an invalid memory write operation at the specific memory location referenced in the code. This invalid write operation subsequently triggers a segmentation fault, causing the application to crash and resulting in a denial of service condition. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered remotely through the processing of untrusted image data, making it exploitable in web applications, file processing services, or any system that accepts and processes pnm formatted images.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9156 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can be leveraged by malicious actors to create persistent availability issues in systems that depend on AutoTrace functionality. Applications using this library for image conversion, vector graphics processing, or automated image analysis may become unresponsive or crash when encountering specially crafted input files. This vulnerability particularly affects systems that process user-uploaded images or consume third-party image data, as these environments provide the perfect attack surface for remote exploitation. The flaw can be classified under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the AutoTrace library to version 0.31.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the input validation issues. System administrators should implement input sanitization measures for all image processing workflows, including the validation of file formats and content before processing. Additionally, deploying network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that can identify anomalous processing patterns associated with image file handling, as well as establishing regular security assessments of third-party libraries to identify similar vulnerabilities. The fix typically involves adding proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms to ensure that memory operations remain within allocated boundaries, preventing the invalid write conditions that lead to the segmentation fault.