CVE-2018-16335 in LibTIFF
Summary
by MITRE
newoffsets handling in ChopUpSingleUncompressedStrip in tif_dirread.c in LibTIFF 4.0.9 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer overflow and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted TIFF file, as demonstrated by tiff2pdf. This is a different vulnerability than CVE-2018-15209.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/19/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16335 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in the LibTIFF library version 4.0.9, specifically within the ChopUpSingleUncompressedStrip function located in the tif_dirread.c source file. This flaw manifests during the processing of TIFF image files when the library attempts to handle newoffsets parameters, creating a scenario where remote attackers can manipulate the application's memory management through carefully crafted malicious TIFF files. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited without requiring local system access, making it a significant remote attack vector that affects numerous applications relying on LibTIFF for image processing.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during the handling of offset values within uncompressed strip data structures in TIFF files. When the ChopUpSingleUncompressedStrip function processes the newoffsets parameter, it fails to adequately validate the size and range of offset values, allowing attackers to provide malicious inputs that exceed allocated buffer boundaries. This improper input validation creates a classic heap overflow condition where adjacent memory regions become corrupted, potentially leading to application crashes or more severe consequences depending on the specific memory layout and execution context. The flaw specifically affects the tiff2pdf utility but likely impacts any application utilizing the vulnerable LibTIFF library components.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-16335 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable more sophisticated attack scenarios. While the primary effect manifests as heap-based buffer overflow leading to application crashes and denial of service, the vulnerability's potential for unspecified other impacts suggests possibilities for information disclosure or arbitrary code execution under certain conditions. This vulnerability affects a wide range of applications including document management systems, image processing software, and content management platforms that depend on LibTIFF for TIFF file handling. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can trigger the vulnerability through web-based interfaces, email attachments, or file sharing systems without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious file.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to LibTIFF version 4.0.10 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address this vulnerability. Additionally, deploying input validation controls and sandboxing mechanisms for TIFF file processing can provide additional layers of protection. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual file processing patterns and potential exploitation attempts targeting TIFF handling components. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a significant concern for organizations using LibTIFF in production environments, particularly those exposed to untrusted file inputs. This issue demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and memory management in image processing libraries, as similar vulnerabilities in graphics libraries have historically enabled privilege escalation and remote code execution attacks. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and file type filtering to limit exposure, as the vulnerability's remote exploitation capability makes it particularly attractive to threat actors targeting enterprise environments.