CVE-2018-5800 in LibRaw
Summary
by MITRE
An off-by-one error within the "LibRaw::kodak_ycbcr_load_raw()" function (internal/dcraw_common.cpp) in LibRaw versions prior to 0.18.7 can be exploited to cause a heap-based buffer overflow and subsequently cause a crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5800 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within the LibRaw library, a widely-used open-source software component for processing digital camera raw image files. This issue stems from an off-by-one error in the kodak_ycbcr_load_raw() function located in the internal/dcraw_common.cpp source file, affecting all LibRaw versions prior to 0.18.7. The flaw manifests when the library processes specific Kodak camera raw image formats, creating a condition where memory boundaries are improperly validated during data processing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic buffer management error where the application fails to properly account for array indexing boundaries when handling YCbCr color space data from Kodak cameras. When the function processes raw image data, it calculates buffer sizes based on incorrect mathematical assumptions that result in one extra byte being allocated or accessed beyond the intended memory boundaries. This off-by-one error creates a condition where subsequent memory operations can overwrite adjacent heap memory regions, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential exploitation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems that utilize LibRaw for image processing, including digital asset management systems, photo editing applications, and camera firmware processing environments. The heap-based buffer overflow can result in application crashes, denial of service conditions, and potentially more severe consequences if the overflow allows for arbitrary code execution. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious raw image files that trigger the vulnerable code path, causing applications to crash or potentially enabling remote code execution depending on the application's memory management and security controls.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a common class of memory safety issues that have been extensively documented in the cybersecurity community. This flaw demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and memory boundary checking in image processing libraries, which handle potentially untrusted data from various camera manufacturers. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1203 - Exploitation for Execution technique, as it can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution when exploited properly.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5800 primarily involve upgrading to LibRaw version 0.18.7 or later, which contains the patched implementation of the kodak_ycbcr_load_raw() function with proper boundary checking. System administrators should also implement input validation measures, particularly for raw image files from unknown or untrusted sources, and consider deploying additional security controls such as sandboxing or restricted execution environments for image processing operations. Organizations utilizing LibRaw in production systems should conduct thorough testing of the patched version to ensure compatibility with existing workflows while maintaining proper security posture against this and related memory corruption vulnerabilities.