CVE-2017-9164 in AutoTrace
Summary
by MITRE
libautotrace.a in AutoTrace 0.31.1 has a heap-based buffer over-read in the GET_COLOR function in color.c:16:11.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9164 resides within the AutoTrace 0.31.1 library component known as libautotrace.a, specifically manifesting in the GET_COLOR function located in the color.c source file at line 16. This issue constitutes a heap-based buffer over-read, representing a critical memory safety flaw that can potentially lead to system compromise. The vulnerability occurs when the application processes image data during the tracing process, where the GET_COLOR function attempts to access memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. Such buffer over-read conditions typically arise when input validation is insufficient and the program fails to properly bound array access operations, allowing malicious actors to potentially read sensitive data from adjacent memory locations or even trigger arbitrary code execution through carefully crafted input files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of image input files that AutoTrace processes, particularly those containing malformed color data or improperly structured color information. When the GET_COLOR function executes, it performs memory access operations that extend beyond the intended buffer limits, potentially reading uninitialized memory or data from other variables within the same memory allocation. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-125, which specifically addresses "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions where a program reads data past the end of a buffer. The heap-based nature of this over-read indicates that the vulnerable memory allocation occurs on the heap rather than the stack, making the exploitation more complex but potentially more persistent across different execution contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9164 extends beyond simple data corruption, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to sensitive information or potentially achieve remote code execution. In environments where AutoTrace is used for automated image processing or as part of larger software ecosystems, an attacker could craft malicious image files that trigger this buffer over-read during normal processing operations. The vulnerability's presence in a graphics processing library means that the attack surface could be extensive, affecting applications that rely on AutoTrace for vector graphics conversion, image analysis, or digital asset processing. According to the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability could be leveraged under the technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, specifically through the exploitation of application-specific vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code. The memory corruption aspect also aligns with ATT&CK technique T1068 for Exploitation for Privilege Escalation, particularly when the vulnerable application runs with elevated privileges.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9164 should prioritize immediate patching of the AutoTrace library to version 0.31.2 or later, which contains the necessary code fixes to prevent the buffer over-read condition. Organizations should implement input validation measures to ensure that image files processed by AutoTrace undergo strict format checking before execution, preventing malformed data from reaching the vulnerable GET_COLOR function. Additionally, deployment of memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and heap metadata protection can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of AutoTrace-dependent applications to untrusted input sources. The fix implemented in the patched version addresses the core issue by ensuring proper bounds checking within the GET_COLOR function, preventing access to memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to identify similar memory safety issues in other third-party libraries and applications, as buffer over-read vulnerabilities are common across software ecosystems and can lead to cascading security incidents.