CVE-2017-9782 in Jasper
Summary
by MITRE
JasPer 2.0.12 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer over-read and application crash) via a crafted image, related to the jp2_decode function in libjasper/jp2/jp2_dec.c.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9782 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read flaw within the JasPer image processing library version 2.0.12. This issue specifically affects the jp2_decode function located in the libjasper/jp2/jp2_dec.c source file, which is responsible for decoding jp2 image format files. The vulnerability arises when the library processes maliciously crafted image files that contain malformed data structures, causing the application to attempt reading beyond the allocated heap memory boundaries. This fundamental memory safety issue demonstrates a classic buffer over-read condition that can be exploited remotely by attackers who have the capability to upload or deliver malicious image files to systems utilizing the affected JasPer library.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of specific image format parameters that control the decoding process within the jp2_decode function. When the library encounters crafted input data, it fails to properly validate the bounds of memory allocations, leading to a situation where the program attempts to access memory locations that were not allocated for the current operation. This improper memory access pattern results in undefined behavior that manifests as heap corruption and subsequent application crashes. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal image processing workflows without requiring special privileges or user interaction, making it an attractive target for remote attackers seeking to disrupt services through denial of service attacks.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9782 extends beyond simple application instability to encompass broader system availability concerns. Systems that rely on JasPer for image processing, including web servers, content management systems, digital asset management platforms, and multimedia applications, become vulnerable to coordinated denial of service attacks. Attackers can craft specific image files that will cause target applications to crash consistently, potentially leading to service disruption that affects legitimate users. The vulnerability affects any application that utilizes the affected JasPer library version, creating a widespread risk across multiple software ecosystems. Organizations using image processing functionalities are particularly at risk since the attack vector requires only the delivery of malicious image files, which can be easily accomplished through web uploads, file transfers, or other common attack delivery mechanisms.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected JasPer library installations to version 2.0.13 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer over-read condition. System administrators should also implement input validation controls that restrict image file uploads to known good formats and sizes, while monitoring for unusual image processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Network-level defenses can include content inspection rules that identify and block suspicious image file patterns, though this approach may not be comprehensive given the nature of the vulnerability. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack techniques categorized under the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation and denial of service tactics. Organizations should also consider implementing memory safety techniques such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries to provide additional protection layers against similar vulnerabilities in the future.
The broader implications of CVE-2017-9782 highlight the importance of robust memory safety practices in image processing libraries and multimedia frameworks. This vulnerability underscores the need for comprehensive input validation and bounds checking in cryptographic and multimedia processing functions, as these components often handle untrusted data from external sources. The issue also demonstrates how seemingly benign file format processing can become a vector for significant security incidents, emphasizing the importance of security testing and code review practices in open source libraries that are widely deployed across enterprise environments. System administrators should maintain updated inventories of all software components that utilize JasPer or similar image processing libraries to quickly identify and remediate affected systems.