CVE-2018-1000041 in librsvg
Summary
by MITRE
GNOME librsvg version before commit c6ddf2ed4d768fd88adbea2b63f575cd523022ea contains a Improper input validation vulnerability in rsvg-io.c that can result in the victim's Windows username and NTLM password hash being leaked to remote attackers through SMB. This attack appear to be exploitable via The victim must process a specially crafted SVG file containing an UNC path on Windows.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/06/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1000041 affects the GNOME librsvg library, specifically targeting versions prior to commit c6ddf2ed4d768fd88adbea2b63f575cd523022ea. This flaw represents a critical improper input validation issue located within the rsvg-io.c file, which creates a significant security risk for Windows environments. The vulnerability stems from the library's insufficient validation of input data when processing SVG files, particularly those containing UNC (Universal Naming Convention) paths that reference remote SMB (Server Message Block) shares.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a Windows user processes a specially crafted SVG file that contains a UNC path pointing to a remote SMB server. When the system attempts to resolve this path, it automatically attempts to authenticate using the user's Windows credentials, including their username and NTLM password hash. This authentication process occurs without explicit user interaction, making the attack particularly insidious as victims are unaware they are being exploited. The vulnerability specifically affects Windows systems because of how they handle UNC paths and automatic credential prompting for network resources, a behavior that differs significantly from Unix-like systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple credential theft, as it enables attackers to establish persistent access to victim systems through the leaked authentication information. This represents a serious threat to enterprise environments where users frequently interact with various digital content and where network shares are commonly accessed. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it requires minimal user interaction beyond opening a seemingly benign SVG file, making it susceptible to social engineering campaigns that could target unsuspecting users. The vulnerability demonstrates how library-level security flaws can have cascading effects across different operating systems and network protocols, particularly when dealing with cross-platform compatibility issues.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the librsvg library to the version containing commit c6ddf2ed4d768fd88adbea2b63f575cd523022ea or later. Organizations should also implement network-level controls to restrict SMB traffic and UNC path resolution, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted SVG content. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the dangers of opening SVG files from untrusted sources, and system administrators should monitor for unusual SMB authentication attempts that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-20 Improper Input Validation and can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1071.004 Application Layer Protocol SMB/Windows Admin Shares, representing a significant threat to enterprise security infrastructure.