CVE-2018-17088 in jhead
Summary
by MITRE
The ProcessGpsInfo function of the gpsinfo.c file of jhead 3.00 may allow a remote attacker to cause a denial-of-service attack or unspecified other impact via a malicious JPEG file, because there is an integer overflow during a check for whether a location exceeds the EXIF data length. This is analogous to the CVE-2016-3822 integer overflow in exif.c. This gpsinfo.c vulnerability is unrelated to the CVE-2018-16554 gpsinfo.c vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/16/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-17088 affects the jhead 3.00 utility, specifically within the ProcessGpsInfo function of the gpsinfo.c file. This flaw represents a critical security issue that enables remote attackers to execute denial-of-service attacks or potentially cause unspecified additional impacts through the manipulation of malicious JPEG files. The vulnerability stems from an integer overflow condition that occurs during validation checks for location data within EXIF metadata, creating a scenario where normal boundary checks fail to properly validate data integrity. The flaw demonstrates a clear pattern of integer overflow issues that have been previously documented in similar contexts, notably the CVE-2016-3822 vulnerability found in the exif.c file, suggesting a recurring architectural weakness in the handling of EXIF data structures within the jhead utility.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of integer values during the processing of GPS information embedded within JPEG metadata. When the ProcessGpsInfo function encounters malformed EXIF data, particularly in location-related fields, it performs calculations that can result in integer overflow conditions. This overflow occurs during the validation phase where the system attempts to verify whether GPS location coordinates exceed the bounds of available EXIF data length. The integer overflow creates a scenario where the validation logic becomes unreliable, potentially allowing attackers to craft JPEG files that bypass normal security checks or cause the application to behave unpredictably. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of data validation and memory management, where improper integer handling leads to potential system instability.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-17088 extends beyond simple denial-of-service conditions to potentially encompass more severe consequences depending on how the vulnerable jhead utility is deployed. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause the application to crash or enter an undefined state, effectively rendering the utility unusable for processing JPEG files. In environments where jhead is used for automated image processing or as part of larger security toolchains, this denial-of-service capability could disrupt critical workflows and potentially provide attackers with a means to degrade system availability. The vulnerability's relationship to CVE-2016-3822 suggests that similar patterns of integer overflow may exist elsewhere in the codebase, indicating a systemic issue that requires comprehensive code review and remediation efforts. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and represents a clear example of how improper integer handling can lead to security weaknesses.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-17088 should focus on implementing robust integer overflow protections within the jhead utility's EXIF processing code. The most effective approach involves adding proper bounds checking and overflow detection mechanisms to ensure that all integer calculations involving EXIF data lengths and location coordinates remain within safe operating ranges. Developers should implement explicit validation checks that prevent integer overflow conditions from occurring during data processing operations. Additionally, input sanitization measures should be strengthened to reject malformed JPEG files before they reach the vulnerable processing functions. The fix should include comprehensive testing with various edge cases and malformed inputs to ensure that the integer overflow protection mechanisms function correctly. Organizations should also consider updating to newer versions of jhead where these vulnerabilities have been addressed, as well as implementing monitoring systems to detect potential exploitation attempts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of adhering to secure coding practices and following the principles outlined in the ATT&CK framework's defensive techniques for preventing code execution vulnerabilities through proper input validation and integer handling.