CVE-2018-11555 in Little CMS
Summary
by MITRE
tificc in Little CMS 2.9 has an out-of-bounds write in the PrecalculatedXFORM function in cmsxform.c in liblcms2.a via a crafted TIFF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2024
The vulnerability CVE-2018-11555 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw in Little CMS 2.9's tificc component, specifically within the PrecalculatedXFORM function located in cmsxform.c of the liblcms2.a library. This issue manifests when processing maliciously crafted TIFF files that exploit improper bounds checking during color transformation operations. The vulnerability falls under CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds write conditions where a program writes data past the end of a buffer or array, potentially leading to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The technical exploitation occurs when the PrecalculatedXFORM function fails to validate input parameters from TIFF color profiles, allowing attackers to manipulate memory layout through carefully constructed color transformation data. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of image processing and memory safety, leveraging the color management system's handling of device-independent color spaces. The flaw demonstrates a classic buffer overflow pattern where insufficient boundary checks permit writes beyond allocated memory regions, creating potential for stack corruption or heap manipulation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems processing TIFF imagery, particularly in environments where untrusted image files are handled such as document management systems, image processing pipelines, or web applications accepting user uploads. The attack surface extends across various applications utilizing Little CMS for color management, including graphic design software, digital imaging platforms, and enterprise document processing systems. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread adoption of TIFF format in professional imaging workflows and the library's integration within numerous open source and commercial applications.
The exploitability of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and script injection through file processing, as attackers can leverage this flaw to execute arbitrary code when vulnerable applications process malicious TIFF files. Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of Little CMS to version 2.9.1 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and input validation. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict file validation for TIFF inputs, employing sandboxing mechanisms for image processing operations, and utilizing automated vulnerability scanning tools to identify affected applications. Network-level protections such as content filtering and application whitelisting can provide additional layers of defense, while regular security audits of image processing pipelines help ensure comprehensive protection against similar vulnerabilities in color management systems.