CVE-2018-10677 in ngiflib
Summary
by MITRE
The DecodeGifImg function in ngiflib.c in MiniUPnP ngiflib 0.4 lacks certain checks against width and height, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (WritePixels heap-based buffer overflow and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted GIF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10677 resides within the ngiflib library version 0.4, specifically within the DecodeGifImg function located in the ngiflib.c file. This library is part of the MiniUPnP suite, which provides implementations for various network protocols including UPnP functionality. The flaw represents a critical security oversight that affects how the library processes GIF image files, creating potential pathways for both denial of service and arbitrary code execution attacks. The vulnerability stems from inadequate validation of image dimensions during the decoding process, allowing attackers to craft malicious GIF files that exploit memory handling mechanisms within the library.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability can be classified as a heap-based buffer overflow, specifically manifesting as a WritePixels operation that exceeds allocated memory boundaries. When processing a crafted GIF file, the DecodeGifImg function fails to validate the width and height parameters provided in the GIF header, leading to improper memory allocation and subsequent overflow conditions. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient checks on buffer boundaries allow for memory corruption. The flaw operates through the manipulation of GIF file structure elements, particularly the image descriptor fields that define dimensions, enabling attackers to specify values that exceed the allocated buffer space during pixel processing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, potentially enabling more severe consequences including application crashes, system instability, and in some cases, remote code execution. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability by delivering maliciously crafted GIF files to systems that utilize the affected ngiflib library, which could occur through web browsers, email attachments, or file sharing systems. The vulnerability affects any application or service that incorporates MiniUPnP ngiflib 0.4 for GIF image processing, including web servers, network devices, and embedded systems that support UPnP functionality. The potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that the memory corruption could be exploited in ways that are not fully predictable, potentially leading to privilege escalation or information disclosure depending on the execution context.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10677 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, with the primary solution being the upgrade to ngiflib version 0.5 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation. Organizations should implement comprehensive network monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts, particularly focusing on unusual GIF file processing activities or memory allocation patterns. Security controls should include input validation at multiple layers, ensuring that all external GIF file processing includes strict dimension checks before memory allocation occurs. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, indicating that exploitation occurs through client-side applications that process GIF files. Additional defensive measures include sandboxing GIF processing operations, implementing strict file format validation, and conducting regular vulnerability assessments of networked systems that may be exposed to crafted GIF files through various attack vectors.