CVE-2017-9201 in ImageWorsener
Summary
by MITRE
imagew-cmd.c:850:46 in libimageworsener.a in ImageWorsener 1.3.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (divide-by-zero error) via a crafted image, related to imagew-api.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9201 represents a critical divide-by-zero error in the ImageWorsener library version 1.3.1 that can be exploited by remote attackers to induce denial of service conditions. This flaw exists within the imagew-cmd.c file at line 850, where a mathematical operation attempts to divide by zero when processing specially crafted image files. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the image processing pipeline, specifically when the library encounters malformed image data during API operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic programming error where the software fails to properly validate image metadata or dimensions before performing mathematical calculations. When an attacker submits a crafted image file containing manipulated header information or corrupted pixel data, the imagew-api.c component triggers a division operation with a zero denominator, causing the application to crash or become unresponsive. This type of error falls under CWE-369, which specifically addresses the condition where a division operation is performed with a zero divisor, creating a potential system crash or resource exhaustion scenario. The flaw operates at the intersection of input validation and mathematical computation within the image processing stack, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal file processing operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems that rely on ImageWorsener for image processing tasks, particularly web applications, content management systems, and image hosting services. The remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the denial of service condition without requiring local access or authentication, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to disrupt services. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as the crash can potentially lead to resource exhaustion, application instability, and in some cases, may provide opportunities for further exploitation if the system does not properly handle the exception conditions. Organizations using this library in production environments face the risk of sustained service degradation or complete application failure when processing maliciously crafted images.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9201 should prioritize immediate patching of the ImageWorsener library to version 1.3.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the divide-by-zero error. System administrators should implement input validation measures at the application level, including image file type verification, size restrictions, and preliminary metadata checking before passing files to the ImageWorsener library. Network-level protections such as web application firewalls and content filtering systems can help detect and block suspicious image files before they reach the vulnerable processing components. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.001, which covers network denial of service attacks, and organizations should consider implementing monitoring and alerting for unusual application crash patterns or resource consumption spikes that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments of image processing pipelines and comprehensive testing of input validation mechanisms should be conducted to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in the future.