CVE-2018-11213 in libjpeg
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in libjpeg 9a. The get_text_gray_row function in rdppm.c allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (Segmentation fault) via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-11213 resides within the libjpeg 9a library, specifically within the get_text_gray_row function located in the rdppm.c source file. This issue represents a classic buffer over-read condition that occurs during the processing of malformed jpeg files, particularly those that employ ppm (Portable Pixmap) format encoding. The flaw manifests when the library attempts to parse and render grayscale image data from a specially crafted input file, leading to memory access violations that ultimately result in application termination.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the image decoding process. When the get_text_gray_row function processes image data, it fails to properly validate the size and structure of incoming data segments before attempting to access memory locations. This weakness allows attackers to construct malicious jpeg files that contain malformed data sequences which, when processed by the vulnerable library, trigger a segmentation fault due to accessing memory outside the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability operates at the application level and requires no special privileges to exploit, making it particularly dangerous in environments where libjpeg is used for processing untrusted image content.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant denial of service risks for applications that rely on libjpeg for image processing tasks. Systems utilizing this library for web services, image upload functionalities, or document processing workflows become vulnerable to attacks that can cause service interruptions and application crashes. The remote exploitation capability means that adversaries can trigger the vulnerability through web-based attacks without requiring physical access to target systems. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for web applications that process user-uploaded images, as it can be leveraged to disrupt services or potentially as part of broader attack campaigns.
The security implications extend beyond simple service disruption to encompass potential information disclosure and system availability concerns. Organizations running applications that utilize libjpeg 9a are at risk of experiencing unauthorized service disruption, which can lead to business continuity issues and potential revenue loss. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125: "Out-of-bounds Read" and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1499.004: "Endpoint Denial of Service" where adversaries target application vulnerabilities to cause system or service unavailability. Additionally, the vulnerability's remote nature makes it suitable for exploitation in automated attack scenarios, potentially enabling large-scale service disruption campaigns.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with updated libjpeg versions that contain proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms. Organizations should implement robust input sanitization procedures for all image processing workflows, including file format validation and size limiting to prevent exploitation attempts. Network-level controls such as intrusion detection systems and web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious image uploads. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems using vulnerable library versions. The patching process should include thorough testing to ensure that updated libraries maintain compatibility with existing applications while eliminating the identified vulnerability.