CVE-2017-9670 in Gnuplot
Summary
by MITRE
An uninitialized stack variable vulnerability in load_tic_series() in set.c in gnuplot 5.2.rc1 allows an attacker to cause Denial of Service (Segmentation fault and Memory Corruption) or possibly have unspecified other impact when a victim opens a specially crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9670 represents a critical uninitialized stack variable flaw within the gnuplot plotting utility version 5.2.rc1. This issue resides in the load_tic_series() function located in the set.c source file, where improper memory handling creates opportunities for malicious exploitation. The vulnerability manifests when gnuplot processes specially crafted input files, leading to unpredictable behavior that can compromise system stability and potentially enable further attack vectors.
The technical root cause stems from the improper initialization of stack variables within the load_tic_series() function, which falls under CWE-457: Use of Uninitialized Variable. When gnuplot encounters malformed input data during the processing of tic series definitions, the uninitialized memory locations can contain arbitrary values that lead to incorrect program flow. This uninitialized variable behavior creates a pathway for attackers to manipulate program execution through carefully constructed input files that trigger the vulnerable code path during file parsing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable more severe consequences including memory corruption and system instability. When a victim opens a maliciously crafted file, the uninitialized stack variables can cause segmentation faults that crash the gnuplot application, resulting in denial of service for legitimate users. However, the vulnerability's potential for memory corruption suggests that sophisticated attackers might leverage this weakness to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges, particularly when the application runs with elevated permissions or processes untrusted input from network sources.
This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries exploit software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning for environments where gnuplot is used to process untrusted data from external sources, such as web applications that generate plots from user input or collaborative platforms where users can upload data files. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign file processing operations can become attack vectors when proper memory initialization practices are not followed, creating opportunities for attackers to craft payloads that exploit the uninitialized variable conditions.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected gnuplot versions to address the uninitialized variable issue in the load_tic_series() function. System administrators should implement input validation measures to filter potentially malicious files before processing, particularly when gnuplot is used in environments with untrusted users or automated processing pipelines. Additionally, deployment of application sandboxing techniques and privilege separation can limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper memory initialization practices in software development, particularly in applications that process external data files, and underscores the necessity of thorough code review processes to identify and remediate similar issues in other components of the software ecosystem.