CVE-2018-9146 in Exiv2
Summary
by MITRE
In Exiv2 0.26, there is an out-of-bounds read in Exiv2::IptcData::printStructure in image.cpp, a different vulnerability than CVE-2017-17724. It could result in denial of service or information disclosure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9146 affects Exiv2 version 0.26, a widely used C++ library for reading and writing image metadata. This issue manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition within the Exiv2::IptcData::printStructure function located in the image.cpp source file. The flaw represents a distinct vulnerability from CVE-2017-17724, indicating that the security team has identified multiple separate issues within the same software component. The out-of-bounds read occurs when processing IPTC (International Press Telecommunications Council) metadata within image files, specifically during the structure printing operation that displays metadata hierarchy and content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the printStructure function, which fails to properly validate array indices or buffer limits when traversing IPTC data elements. When an attacker crafts a malformed image file containing specially constructed IPTC metadata, the function attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. This programming error falls under CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and specifically relates to CWE-787, the out-of-bounds write or read condition. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through image file processing operations that are common in web applications, content management systems, and digital asset management platforms that utilize Exiv2 for metadata handling.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-9146 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable information disclosure attacks. When the out-of-bounds read occurs, the application may access memory locations containing sensitive data from other processes or system memory segments, leading to potential information leakage. The denial of service aspect manifests as application crashes or abnormal termination when processing maliciously crafted image files, which can disrupt services in environments where automated image processing is employed. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in web-facing applications where users can upload images, as it provides an attack surface that could be exploited to compromise system availability and potentially extract confidential information from the application's memory space.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of Exiv2 to version 0.27 or later, where the bounds checking has been properly implemented to prevent out-of-bounds memory access. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation for all image files processed through Exiv2, including the enforcement of file format restrictions and metadata size limits. Network defenders should consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for image processing operations and deploy intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file upload patterns. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, "Exploitation for Client Execution," and T1059, "Command and Scripting Interpreter," as attackers may leverage this flaw to execute malicious payloads or gain unauthorized access to systems. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of their Exiv2 implementations and maintain updated threat intelligence feeds to monitor for related vulnerabilities or exploitation attempts targeting image processing libraries.