CVE-2018-19664 in libjpeg-turbo
Summary
by MITRE
libjpeg-turbo 2.0.1 has a heap-based buffer over-read in the put_pixel_rows function in wrbmp.c, as demonstrated by djpeg.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19664 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read flaw within the libjpeg-turbo library version 2.0.1. This issue specifically affects the put_pixel_rows function located in the wrbmp.c source file, which is part of the library's bitmap writing capabilities. The vulnerability manifests when processing bitmap images through the djpeg utility, which is commonly used for decoding jpeg images to various formats including bitmap. The flaw occurs during the handling of pixel data during the bitmap writing process, where insufficient bounds checking allows for memory access beyond allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the bitmap writing component of libjpeg-turbo. When the put_pixel_rows function processes image data, it fails to properly verify that the pixel data being written remains within the allocated memory boundaries of the target buffer. This over-read condition can be triggered by malformed or specially crafted bitmap input files that cause the function to attempt reading beyond the intended memory limits. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability indicates that the affected memory regions are dynamically allocated on the heap, making the exploitation potential more complex but still significant given the memory corruption aspect.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data corruption, as it creates potential attack vectors for remote code execution or information disclosure. An attacker who can control the input to the djpeg utility could potentially craft malicious bitmap files that trigger the buffer over-read condition, leading to unpredictable behavior including application crashes, memory corruption, or even arbitrary code execution depending on the specific memory layout and exploitation techniques. This vulnerability affects systems that rely on libjpeg-turbo for image processing, particularly those that handle untrusted image data from external sources. The widespread adoption of libjpeg-turbo in various applications, libraries, and operating systems amplifies the potential scope of this vulnerability across multiple platforms and environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19664 should prioritize immediate patching of affected libjpeg-turbo installations to version 2.0.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer over-read issue. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation for all image processing pipelines, particularly when handling untrusted user uploads or external image sources. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and may map to ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through command-line interfaces where djpeg is invoked. Additional defensive measures include implementing sandboxing mechanisms for image processing operations, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts, and conducting regular security assessments of image handling components within applications. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected systems and applications that utilize libjpeg-turbo for image processing functions.