CVE-2019-17540 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE
ImageMagick before 7.0.8-54 has a heap-based buffer overflow in ReadPSInfo in coders/ps.c.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-17540 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within ImageMagick's PostScript processing functionality. This flaw exists in versions prior to 7.0.8-54 and specifically affects the ReadPSInfo function located in the coders/ps.c source file. The vulnerability manifests when ImageMagick processes malformed PostScript files, creating conditions where arbitrary memory can be overwritten through improper bounds checking during buffer allocation and data copying operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the PostScript parser component of ImageMagick. When processing specially crafted PostScript files, the ReadPSInfo function fails to properly validate the size of data structures before copying data into heap-allocated buffers. This allows attackers to provide input that exceeds the allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause application crashes. The vulnerability operates at the heap memory level, making it particularly dangerous as it can lead to remote code execution when ImageMagick is used in web applications or file processing services.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-17540 extends significantly across various threat scenarios including web application exploitation, file upload attacks, and automated scanning systems. Organizations using ImageMagick in their file processing pipelines face potential compromise when handling untrusted PostScript content, as the vulnerability can be triggered through simple file uploads or processing of malicious documents. This makes it particularly attractive to automated exploit frameworks and malicious actors seeking to leverage the widespread use of ImageMagick in content management systems, document processing applications, and web services. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow patterns and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) when exploited in web contexts.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of ImageMagick installations to version 7.0.8-54 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow conditions. Organizations should implement strict file validation and sanitization processes, particularly when processing user-uploaded content, and consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for file processing operations. Network-level controls such as content filtering and file type restrictions can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and proper input validation in multimedia processing libraries, as similar issues in image processing software have been documented in other CVEs related to buffer overflows in graphics libraries. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring for unusual file processing activities and ensure that ImageMagick is not running with elevated privileges when possible.