CVE-2019-12976 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
ImageMagick 7.0.8-34 has a memory leak in the ReadPCLImage function in coders/pcl.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-12976 represents a critical memory management flaw within ImageMagick's PCL image processing capabilities. This issue specifically affects version 7.0.8-34 of the widely-used image processing library, which is employed across numerous applications and systems for handling various image formats including PCL (Printer Command Language) files. The vulnerability manifests in the ReadPCLImage function located within the coders/pcl.c source file, indicating a fundamental flaw in how the software handles memory allocation during the processing of PCL formatted images.
The technical nature of this memory leak stems from improper memory deallocation within the image reading pipeline. When ImageMagick processes a maliciously crafted PCL file through the ReadPCLImage function, the application fails to properly release allocated memory blocks, leading to progressive memory consumption that can ultimately result in system instability or denial of service conditions. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-401, which specifically addresses improper release of memory after transfer of control, making it a classic example of memory management error patterns that have been consistently documented in software security assessments. The flaw represents a fundamental failure in the application's resource management protocols during image processing operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource exhaustion, as it creates potential attack vectors for adversaries seeking to disrupt services or compromise system availability. An attacker could exploit this weakness by submitting specially crafted PCL files to any system running vulnerable ImageMagick implementations, potentially causing memory exhaustion that leads to application crashes or system slowdowns. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in environments where ImageMagick is used as a backend service for web applications, document processing systems, or automated image handling workflows, as it could enable denial of service attacks that are difficult to detect and mitigate. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers resource exhaustion attacks targeting availability, and demonstrates how memory management flaws can translate into broader operational security concerns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-12976 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions that have addressed this memory leak issue, as the official fix was incorporated in subsequent releases of ImageMagick. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems utilizing ImageMagick are updated promptly. Additionally, deploying input validation measures and implementing strict file format restrictions can help reduce exposure by limiting the types of PCL files that can be processed. Network-level protections such as rate limiting and content inspection can provide additional defense-in-depth measures, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual memory consumption patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for image processing operations to contain potential impacts of any remaining vulnerabilities, as this approach aligns with the principle of least privilege and helps prevent lateral movement in case of successful exploitation attempts.