CVE-2017-9170 in AutoTrace
Summary
by MITRE
libautotrace.a in AutoTrace 0.31.1 has a heap-based buffer overflow in the ReadImage function in input-bmp.c:370:25.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9170 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the AutoTrace library autotrace.a version 0.31.1. This flaw exists in the ReadImage function located in the input-bmp.c file at line 370, where the software fails to properly validate input data before processing bitmap image files. The issue arises when AutoTrace attempts to parse malformed or specially crafted bmp image files, leading to unauthorized memory access patterns that can result in arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability specifically affects the handling of bitmap image data structures where insufficient bounds checking occurs during memory allocation and data copying operations. This type of buffer overflow represents a fundamental security weakness that allows attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially execute malicious code within the context of the application process. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because AutoTrace is commonly used for vectorizing bitmap images, making it a potential attack vector in applications that process user-supplied image files. The heap-based nature of this overflow means that the memory corruption occurs in the heap memory segment rather than on the stack, which can lead to more complex exploitation scenarios and potentially more reliable crash conditions. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, which is classified as a critical security weakness in memory management. The attack surface for this vulnerability is broad as AutoTrace is integrated into various graphic applications and tools that handle bitmap image processing. The operational impact extends beyond simple denial of service, as the buffer overflow can be leveraged for privilege escalation attacks or remote code execution depending on the execution context. Security researchers have noted that this type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous when present in image processing libraries that are widely deployed across different platforms and applications. The vulnerability demonstrates a clear failure in input validation practices and highlights the importance of implementing robust memory safety mechanisms in multimedia processing libraries. Organizations using AutoTrace in their applications should be particularly vigilant about this vulnerability as it can be exploited through simple file upload attacks or when processing untrusted image data from external sources. The exploitation of this vulnerability requires a carefully crafted malicious bmp file that triggers the specific memory access pattern at the ReadImage function, making it a targeted attack vector rather than a general system compromise. This vulnerability directly relates to the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1068 for exploit for privilege escalation, as the buffer overflow can be used to gain elevated privileges within the application context. The remediation approach involves updating to a patched version of AutoTrace where proper bounds checking has been implemented in the input-bmp.c file to prevent the overflow condition. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization and memory validation checks in the ReadImage function would address the root cause of the vulnerability. The vulnerability underscores the importance of applying security patches promptly and maintaining updated libraries in production environments to prevent exploitation by malicious actors. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and other memory safety mechanisms to mitigate the impact of similar vulnerabilities that may not yet be patched. The security implications of this vulnerability extend to any application that relies on AutoTrace for image processing functionality, making it a critical concern for software security teams and system administrators.