CVE-2018-10111 in GEGL
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in GEGL through 0.3.32. The render_rectangle function in process/gegl-processor.c has unbounded memory allocation, leading to a denial of service (application crash) upon allocation failure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10111 represents a critical memory management flaw within the GEGL graphics processing library version 0.3.32 and earlier. This issue specifically targets the render_rectangle function located in the process/gegl-processor.c source file, where improper bounds checking allows for uncontrolled memory allocation that can ultimately lead to system instability. The flaw exists within a fundamental graphics processing component that handles rectangle-based rendering operations, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through routine image processing workflows.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the absence of proper memory allocation limits within the render_rectangle function. When the function processes certain input parameters, it attempts to allocate memory without validating the requested size against system constraints or predefined maximum limits. This unbounded allocation behavior creates a scenario where malicious or malformed input can cause the application to request increasingly large memory blocks until system resources are exhausted. The vulnerability manifests as a denial of service condition rather than a direct code execution vector, though the crash behavior can be leveraged by attackers to disrupt service availability.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability affects any application that relies on GEGL for image processing tasks, including graphic design software, photo editors, and content management systems. The denial of service condition can be triggered through various means such as processing specially crafted image files or manipulating rendering parameters in ways that cause the function to request excessive memory. The crash behavior is particularly concerning in server environments where continuous availability is critical, as this vulnerability can be exploited to cause service disruption without requiring elevated privileges or complex attack vectors.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-770, which addresses allocation of resources without limits or with inadequate limits, and can be categorized under the ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service. The vulnerability demonstrates poor resource management practices that are commonly found in graphics processing libraries where performance optimization may have inadvertently introduced security flaws. Organizations should prioritize updating their GEGL dependencies to versions 0.3.33 or later, where the unbounded memory allocation has been addressed through proper bounds checking and memory limit enforcement mechanisms. Additionally, implementing input validation measures and monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns can serve as effective mitigations while awaiting patch deployment.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the importance of memory safety practices in graphics processing libraries, where complex rendering operations can introduce subtle security flaws. The flaw serves as a reminder that optimization for performance without proper security considerations can create dangerous conditions that may be exploited by adversaries. System administrators should consider implementing application sandboxing and memory monitoring solutions to detect and prevent exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where GEGL is used for processing untrusted image content. The vulnerability also underscores the need for comprehensive code review processes that examine resource allocation patterns, especially in libraries that handle user-supplied data through graphics processing pipelines.