CVE-2018-5808 in LibRaw
Summary
by MITRE
An error within the "find_green()" function (internal/dcraw_common.cpp) in LibRaw versions prior to 0.18.9 can be exploited to cause a stack-based buffer overflow and subsequently execute arbitrary code.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/13/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5808 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the LibRaw library, a widely-used open-source software package for processing raw image files from digital cameras. This vulnerability specifically resides in the "find_green()" function located in the internal/dcraw_common.cpp source file, affecting all LibRaw versions prior to the security patch released in version 0.18.9. The flaw manifests when the library processes certain malformed or specially crafted raw image files, creating conditions that allow attackers to manipulate memory layout and execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable software.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the image processing pipeline. When the "find_green()" function processes raw image data, it fails to properly validate the size of data structures or buffer boundaries before performing memory operations. This deficiency creates an exploitable condition where an attacker can craft a malicious raw image file that, when processed by the vulnerable LibRaw library, causes data to be written beyond the allocated buffer space on the stack. The overflow can overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers, enabling attackers to redirect program execution flow and inject malicious code.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems that rely on LibRaw for image processing, including photo editing applications, digital asset management systems, and various content management platforms. The exploitability of this flaw means that merely opening or processing a malicious raw image file can result in complete system compromise without requiring user interaction or elevated privileges. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted image files, such as email attachments, web downloads, or shared media repositories. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through command and scripting interpreter.
Security mitigation for CVE-2018-5808 requires immediate upgrading to LibRaw version 0.18.9 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and input validation measures. Organizations should also implement defensive programming practices such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and control flow integrity checks to reduce exploit reliability even if older versions remain in use. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all applications and services that depend on vulnerable LibRaw installations, ensuring complete remediation across the entire software ecosystem. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of maintaining up-to-date third-party libraries and implementing proper input sanitization in image processing pipelines to prevent similar memory corruption issues from compromising system integrity.