CVE-2018-10114 in GEGL
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in GEGL through 0.3.32. The gegl_buffer_iterate_read_simple function in buffer/gegl-buffer-access.c allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (write access violation) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a malformed PPM file, related to improper restrictions on memory allocation in the ppm_load_read_header function in operations/external/ppm-load.c.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/25/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10114 represents a critical security flaw within the GEGL graphics processing library version 0.3.32 and earlier. This issue manifests in the improper handling of memory allocation during the processing of PPM image files, creating a pathway for remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks or potentially achieve more severe consequences through malformed input data. The vulnerability specifically targets the gegl_buffer_iterate_read_simple function located in buffer/gegl-buffer-access.c, which interacts with the ppm_load_read_header function in operations/external/ppm-load.c, creating a chain of processing that can be exploited through carefully crafted PPM file structures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the ppm_load_read_header function fails to properly validate memory allocation requests during header parsing of PPM files. This improper restriction allows attackers to craft malformed PPM files that trigger write access violations when the library attempts to process these inputs. The flaw operates at the intersection of memory management and input validation, where insufficient bounds checking and allocation limits enable attackers to manipulate the library's internal memory structures. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array index, and CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write conditions. The vulnerability can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1203, as it enables adversaries to cause system instability through resource exhaustion or memory corruption.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-10114 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the write access violation could potentially lead to more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution or system compromise. Systems utilizing GEGL for image processing, including graphic design applications, web servers processing user-uploaded images, or content management systems, become vulnerable to remote exploitation. The vulnerability's remote attack surface is particularly concerning as it requires no local privileges and can be triggered through web-based interfaces or file processing pipelines. Organizations deploying GEGL in production environments face significant risk, especially those handling untrusted image content from external sources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability must address both immediate protection and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves upgrading to GEGL version 0.3.33 or later, where the memory allocation restrictions have been properly implemented and validated. Organizations should also implement input validation measures at network boundaries, filtering PPM files before they reach GEGL processing components. Additional protective measures include deploying sandboxing mechanisms around image processing functions, implementing strict memory limits for file processing operations, and establishing monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning tools that can detect and flag potential exploitation attempts through malformed PPM file patterns, ensuring comprehensive protection against this and similar memory-related vulnerabilities in graphics processing libraries.