CVE-2017-9405 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
In ImageMagick 7.0.5-5, the ReadICONImage function in icon.c:452 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (memory leak) via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9405 represents a critical memory management flaw within ImageMagick's handling of icon image files. This issue manifests in the ReadICONImage function located in the icon.c source file at line 452, where improper memory allocation and deallocation practices create persistent memory leaks that can be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability specifically affects ImageMagick version 7.0.5-5 and demonstrates how image processing libraries can become attack vectors when insufficient input validation and memory management controls are implemented. The flaw allows attackers to craft specially designed icon files that, when processed by ImageMagick, trigger continuous memory allocation without corresponding deallocation, leading to progressive memory exhaustion.
From a technical perspective, this vulnerability operates through a classic memory leak pattern where the application allocates memory for processing icon image data but fails to properly release that memory upon completion of the processing cycle. The ReadICONImage function's implementation contains logic errors that prevent proper memory cleanup when handling malformed or crafted input files, resulting in accumulated memory consumption over time. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-401, which specifically addresses insufficient memory deallocation, and represents a denial of service condition where the system's available memory gradually depletes until the application becomes unresponsive or crashes. The memory leak occurs during the image parsing phase when the application attempts to interpret icon file structures that contain unexpected or malformed data patterns.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9405 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire systems that rely on ImageMagick for image processing tasks. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause applications using ImageMagick to consume excessive system resources, leading to system instability, application crashes, and in severe cases, complete system exhaustion. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web applications, content management systems, and any environment where users can upload image files, as attackers can repeatedly submit malicious icon files to gradually consume available memory. This type of denial of service attack can be executed with minimal resources and can affect systems running on various platforms including web servers, desktop applications, and mobile platforms that utilize ImageMagick for image handling operations.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of the ATT&CK framework under the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to consume system resources and disrupt service availability. The mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9405 should include immediate patching of ImageMagick installations to versions that address the memory leak issue, along with implementing input validation measures that restrict the types of files processed and monitor for unusual memory consumption patterns. Additionally, system administrators should deploy monitoring solutions that can detect memory usage anomalies and implement sandboxing techniques to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing file type restrictions and content validation processes to prevent the processing of potentially malicious icon files, particularly in environments where user uploads are permitted. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in image processing libraries, emphasizing that even seemingly benign file format handling can present significant security risks when not properly implemented.