CVE-2017-9407 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
In ImageMagick 7.0.5-5, the ReadPALMImage function in palm.c 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-2017-9407 resides within ImageMagick version 7.0.5-5, specifically in the ReadPALMImage function located in the palm.c source file. This flaw represents a denial of service condition that manifests through memory leak exploitation, where maliciously crafted image files can trigger excessive memory consumption within the application. The vulnerability impacts the core image processing functionality of ImageMagick, which is widely used across various platforms for image manipulation and conversion tasks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the PALM image format parser. When ImageMagick attempts to process a specially crafted PALM file, the ReadPALMImage function fails to properly handle memory allocation and deallocation sequences, leading to progressive memory consumption without adequate cleanup. This memory leak behavior occurs during the parsing phase when the application encounters malformed or maliciously constructed PALM file structures that exploit gaps in the validation logic. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-401, which describes improper handling of memory allocation and deallocation issues that can lead to resource exhaustion.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple attack vectors where ImageMagick is deployed as a service or integrated into web applications, content management systems, or file processing pipelines. Attackers can exploit this weakness by uploading or submitting crafted PALM files to systems running vulnerable versions of ImageMagick, potentially causing system instability, performance degradation, or complete service unavailability. The memory leak behavior can be particularly devastating in environments where ImageMagick processes large volumes of user-uploaded content, as it may lead to progressive resource exhaustion that affects system responsiveness and can be leveraged for denial of service attacks. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through resource exhaustion.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9407 should prioritize immediate patching of ImageMagick installations to versions that address the memory leak issue in the PALM image parser. System administrators should implement input validation measures that restrict file type processing and employ sandboxing techniques to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Additionally, monitoring and logging mechanisms should be enhanced to detect unusual memory consumption patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive input validation and proper resource management in image processing libraries, emphasizing the need for regular security updates and vulnerability assessments. Organizations should also consider implementing file type whitelisting and automated scanning systems to prevent malicious files from being processed by vulnerable applications, while adhering to security best practices outlined in industry standards such as NIST SP 800-128 for secure software development and maintenance.