CVE-2017-9180 in AutoTrace
Summary
by MITRE
libautotrace.a in AutoTrace 0.31.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid read and SEGV), related to the ReadImage function in input-bmp.c:440:14.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9180 resides within the AutoTrace library autotrace.a version 0.31.1 and specifically targets the ReadImage function located in input-bmp.c at line 440. This flaw represents a critical security issue that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks against systems utilizing this library. The vulnerability manifests through an invalid memory read operation followed by a segmentation fault, effectively crashing the targeted application and rendering it unavailable to legitimate users. AutoTrace is widely used for vectorizing bitmap images, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for applications that process image files from untrusted sources.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the bitmap image parsing functionality. When the ReadImage function processes malformed or specially crafted bitmap files, it fails to properly validate the structure and content of the input data before attempting to access memory locations. This deficiency creates a scenario where the application reads from invalid memory addresses or attempts to dereference null pointers, ultimately leading to a segmentation fault that terminates the process. The vulnerability is classified as a buffer over-read condition and falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, which describes out-of-bounds read vulnerabilities. The specific implementation flaw occurs during the parsing of bitmap headers and pixel data, where the code does not sufficiently validate the size parameters or data structure integrity before proceeding with memory operations.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9180 extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can be leveraged in broader attack scenarios within the ATT&CK framework's execution and denial of service tactics. Remote attackers can craft malicious bitmap files that trigger this vulnerability when processed by applications using the affected AutoTrace library, potentially leading to widespread service unavailability across systems that rely on image processing capabilities. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web applications, content management systems, or any platform that accepts user-uploaded images without proper sanitization. The segmentation fault behavior makes this attack vector highly reliable for causing system crashes, which can be amplified in environments where multiple processes or services depend on the vulnerable library, potentially creating cascading failures. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign image processing functions can become attack vectors when proper input validation and error handling mechanisms are absent.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9180 should focus on immediate patching of the AutoTrace library to version 0.31.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the input validation issues. Organizations should implement comprehensive input sanitization measures for all image processing workflows, including validating file headers, checking size parameters, and implementing proper error handling routines. Network-level defenses such as intrusion prevention systems can be configured to detect and block suspicious image file patterns that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. Additionally, application developers should consider implementing sandboxing techniques and resource limits for image processing operations to contain potential impacts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of following secure coding practices and adheres to ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation through code injection and execution, emphasizing the need for robust memory safety mechanisms and proper input validation as fundamental security controls. System administrators should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems utilizing the affected AutoTrace library and ensure comprehensive patch management procedures are in place to prevent similar issues from occurring in other components of the software stack.