CVE-2017-9187 in AutoTrace
Summary
by MITRE
libautotrace.a in AutoTrace 0.31.1 has a "cannot be represented in type int" issue in input-bmp.c:486:7.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/02/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9187 resides within the AutoTrace 0.31.1 library autotrace component, specifically in the input-bmp.c file at line 486. This issue manifests as a type conversion problem where a value cannot be properly represented within the confines of a standard integer type, creating a potential avenue for system instability or exploitation. The vulnerability occurs during the processing of bitmap image files, where AutoTrace attempts to handle certain image dimensions or data values that exceed the capacity of the int data type, leading to undefined behavior and potential memory corruption scenarios. This type of issue typically arises when developers make assumptions about data size limits without proper validation or type checking mechanisms in place.
The technical flaw represents a classic integer overflow or truncation vulnerability that falls under the CWE-190 category of integer overflow or wraparound. When the input-bmp.c module processes bitmap files, it encounters image parameters that require values larger than what can be stored in a standard int variable, resulting in the compiler warning about values that cannot be represented in type int. This condition creates a scenario where data integrity is compromised, potentially allowing attackers to manipulate image processing workflows or cause the application to crash during image parsing operations. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it occurs in the core image input handling mechanism, suggesting that any application utilizing AutoTrace for bitmap processing could be affected by malformed or specially crafted input files.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9187 extends beyond simple application crashes, potentially enabling more sophisticated attack vectors within the broader ATT&CK framework under the T1203 category of Exploitation for Client Execution. When an application processes bitmap files through AutoTrace, malicious actors could craft specially formatted images designed to trigger this integer representation issue, potentially leading to denial of service conditions or even remote code execution depending on the broader application context. The vulnerability affects systems where AutoTrace is integrated into image processing pipelines, document conversion tools, or any software that relies on automatic vectorization of raster graphics. This issue particularly impacts web applications or services that accept user-uploaded bitmap files, as these systems become vulnerable to exploitation through crafted image inputs that cause the integer overflow condition during processing.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9187 should focus on both immediate code-level fixes and broader architectural improvements. Developers should implement proper input validation and type checking mechanisms to ensure that image dimensions and data values are properly constrained before processing, with explicit handling for edge cases that might cause integer representation issues. The recommended approach includes upgrading to AutoTrace versions that have addressed this specific vulnerability, as the maintainers have likely implemented proper type casting or variable size adjustments to handle larger values appropriately. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing input sanitization measures for any applications that process bitmap images, including file size limits, dimension restrictions, and comprehensive error handling to prevent exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability, particularly in environments where AutoTrace is used for automated image processing workflows.