CVE-2018-5358 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
ImageMagick 7.0.7-22 Q16 has memory leaks in the EncodeImageAttributes function in coders/json.c, as demonstrated by the ReadPSDLayersInternal function in coders/psd.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/13/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5358 affects ImageMagick version 7.0.7-22 Q16 and represents a memory leak issue within the image processing library's encoding functionality. This flaw manifests specifically in the EncodeImageAttributes function located in the coders/json.c file, with the vulnerability being demonstrable through the ReadPSDLayersInternal function found in coders/psd.c. The issue occurs when processing certain image formats, particularly those involving psd file structures, where improper memory management leads to resource exhaustion over time.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate memory deallocation practices within the image processing pipeline. When ImageMagick attempts to encode image attributes for json output format, the EncodeImageAttributes function fails to properly release allocated memory blocks, particularly when handling psd file layers. This memory leak occurs during the processing of layered image formats where the ReadPSDLayersInternal function creates multiple memory allocations to store layer information but does not consistently free these resources. The flaw represents a classic memory management error that can be categorized under CWE-401, which specifically addresses improper management of dynamically allocated memory.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-5358 extends beyond simple resource consumption, creating potential denial of service conditions that can severely impact systems processing image files. When exploited repeatedly, the memory leaks accumulate and can cause applications using ImageMagick to consume excessive memory resources, eventually leading to system instability or complete application crashes. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in web applications and automated image processing systems where multiple files are processed sequentially, as the memory consumption grows exponentially with each processed file. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.003, which involves resource exhaustion through memory leaks and can be exploited to disrupt service availability.
Systems vulnerable to this memory leak include any environment that utilizes ImageMagick 7.0.7-22 Q16 for image processing, particularly web applications, content management systems, and automated image conversion services. The attack vector typically involves submitting malicious or specially crafted psd files to applications that process images through ImageMagick, allowing the memory leak to occur during normal processing operations. Organizations running web services that accept user-uploaded images or perform automated image conversions are at significant risk, as these scenarios provide ideal conditions for exploitation. The vulnerability can be mitigated through immediate patching of ImageMagick to version 7.0.8-14 or later, which includes proper memory deallocation fixes in the affected functions. Additionally, implementing input validation, limiting file size, and monitoring system memory usage can help detect and prevent exploitation attempts.