CVE-2017-9206 in ImageWorsener
Summary
by MITRE
The iw_get_ui16le function in imagew-util.c:405:23 in libimageworsener.a in ImageWorsener 1.3.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer over-read) via a crafted image, related to imagew-jpeg.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9206 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read flaw within the ImageWorsener image processing library version 1.3.1. This issue manifests in the iw_get_ui16le function located in the imagew-util.c file at line 405, where the library fails to properly validate input data when processing jpeg images through the imagew-jpeg.c component. The flaw occurs during the parsing of crafted image files that contain malformed data structures, specifically targeting the unsigned 16-bit integer extraction mechanism that is fundamental to image metadata parsing. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by constructing malicious jpeg files that trigger the buffer over-read condition, causing the application to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the image parsing pipeline of ImageWorsener. When the iw_get_ui16le function attempts to extract 16-bit little-endian values from image data, it does not sufficiently validate the length of available data before performing memory reads. This oversight creates a condition where an attacker-controlled input can cause the function to read beyond the intended buffer limits, potentially accessing adjacent memory regions that may contain sensitive data or cause application instability. The heap-based nature of the overflow indicates that the vulnerable memory allocation occurs on the heap rather than the stack, making the exploitation more complex but still potentially devastating for applications that rely on this library for image processing operations. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution through malformed file processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9206 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can potentially lead to information disclosure or application crashes that affect system availability. When exploited, the heap buffer over-read can cause applications using ImageWorsener to terminate unexpectedly, resulting in service disruption for web applications, content management systems, or any software that processes user-uploaded images. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where applications process untrusted image files from external sources, as attackers can craft malicious images that trigger the flaw when processed by the vulnerable library. This creates a significant risk for web servers, file upload handlers, and image processing services that may not properly validate or sanitize image inputs before passing them to ImageWorsener for processing. The remote exploitation capability means that adversaries can trigger this vulnerability without requiring local system access, making it a particularly attractive target for attackers seeking to disrupt services or potentially escalate privileges through application crashes that might be leveraged for further exploitation attempts.
Organizations utilizing ImageWorsener version 1.3.1 should immediately implement mitigation strategies to protect their systems from potential exploitation of this vulnerability. The primary recommendation involves upgrading to a patched version of ImageWorsener that addresses the buffer over-read condition through proper bounds checking mechanisms. Additionally, implementing input validation measures such as image format verification, size limitations, and content scanning can help prevent exploitation attempts. Network-level protections including web application firewalls and content filtering systems should be configured to detect and block suspicious image file patterns that may indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability. The mitigation approach should also include monitoring for unusual application behavior or crash patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, as well as implementing proper error handling and graceful degradation mechanisms to prevent complete service disruption when vulnerable applications encounter malformed image data. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all systems that utilize ImageWorsener to identify potential exposure points and establish incident response procedures for handling exploitation attempts.