CVE-2018-10112 in GEGL
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in GEGL through 0.3.32. The gegl_tile_backend_swap_constructed function in buffer/gegl-tile-backend-swap.c allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (write access violation) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a malformed PNG file that is mishandled during a call to the babl_format_get_bytes_per_pixel function in babl-format.c in babl 0.1.46.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10112 represents a critical security flaw within the GEGL graphics processing library version 0.3.32 and earlier. This issue stems from improper handling of malformed PNG files during the image processing workflow, specifically when the gegl_tile_backend_swap_constructed function attempts to process image data. The vulnerability manifests when the library encounters specially crafted PNG files that trigger unexpected behavior in the babl_format_get_bytes_per_pixel function, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited remotely by attackers. The flaw exists in the buffer/gegl-tile-backend-swap.c file and demonstrates a classic case of improper input validation combined with memory access violations that can lead to system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a write access violation that happens when the GEGL library processes malformed PNG files. During the execution of babl_format_get_bytes_per_pixel function in babl 0.1.46, the system attempts to access memory locations that are either invalid or unauthorized, resulting in a crash or potentially more severe consequences. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a direct violation of memory safety principles. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows remote code execution or denial of service through simple file manipulation, making it an attractive target for malicious actors seeking to exploit graphics processing libraries in web applications, content management systems, or any software that processes user-uploaded images.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-10112 extends beyond simple system crashes, potentially enabling attackers to cause complete service disruption or gain unauthorized access to systems that utilize GEGL for image processing. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability can lead to denial of service conditions that affect web servers, image processing applications, and content management systems that rely on GEGL for their functionality. The implications are particularly severe in environments where automated image processing occurs, as attackers could flood systems with malicious PNG files to cause continuous service interruptions. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities for denial of service, and represents a significant risk to organizations that depend on graphics processing libraries for their core operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected GEGL library versions to address the memory access violation in the babl_format_get_bytes_per_pixel function. System administrators should prioritize updating to GEGL version 0.3.33 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly validate PNG file formats before processing. Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation for all image uploads, deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block malformed image files, and establishing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for image processing operations and regularly monitoring for signs of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in graphics processing libraries, as demonstrated by the CWE-20 standard for input validation weaknesses that directly contributes to this class of security issues.