CVE-2018-1152 in libjpeg-turbo
Summary
by MITRE
libjpeg-turbo 1.5.90 is vulnerable to a denial of service vulnerability caused by a divide by zero when processing a crafted BMP image.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-1152 affects libjpeg-turbo version 1.5.90 and represents a critical denial of service condition that arises during the processing of maliciously crafted bmp image files. This flaw demonstrates a fundamental programming error where the software fails to properly validate input data before attempting mathematical operations, specifically division operations that can lead to system crashes or resource exhaustion. The vulnerability exists within the image processing pipeline where the library attempts to parse and decode bmp format files without adequate safeguards against malformed data structures.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from a divide by zero error that occurs when the libjpeg-turbo library encounters specific patterns within bmp image headers or pixel data. When processing a crafted bmp file, the library attempts to perform a division operation where the divisor becomes zero due to improper validation of image dimensions or color table entries. This mathematical error triggers an exception that causes the application to terminate abruptly or enter an undefined state, effectively rendering the system unable to process additional image requests until restarted. The flaw specifically manifests in the bmp decoder component of the library, which handles the parsing of bitmap image format specifications according to microsoft's bmp file format standards.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that rely on libjpeg-turbo for image processing tasks, particularly web applications, content management systems, and multimedia platforms that accept user-uploaded images. Attackers can exploit this weakness by uploading specially crafted bmp files that trigger the divide by zero condition, causing service disruption for legitimate users. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service as it can be leveraged in broader attack chains where multiple vulnerable applications or services are targeted simultaneously, potentially leading to cascading failures within larger network infrastructures. Systems running on vulnerable versions of libjpeg-turbo are particularly at risk when processing untrusted image content without proper input sanitization.
Security professionals should recognize this vulnerability as aligning with CWE-369, which categorizes divide by zero errors as a common weakness in software development practices. The flaw also maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which describes denial of service attacks that target application availability through resource exhaustion or system instability. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems and implement additional input validation measures to prevent exploitation. Mitigation strategies include deploying updated versions of libjpeg-turbo that address the mathematical error, implementing strict image format validation, and establishing monitoring systems to detect unusual processing patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of robust input validation and proper error handling in multimedia processing libraries that handle untrusted data sources.
This vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly minor programming errors in image processing libraries can have significant security implications across multiple application domains. The divide by zero condition represents a classic example of inadequate error handling that can be exploited to cause system instability, making it a critical concern for organizations that depend on image processing capabilities for their core operations. The affected library's widespread use across various platforms and applications means that the potential attack surface is extensive, requiring comprehensive vulnerability assessment and remediation efforts. Organizations must ensure that all systems utilizing libjpeg-turbo are updated to versions that properly handle malformed input data and prevent division operations from encountering zero values during image processing operations.