CVE-2019-19035 in jhead
Summary
by MITRE
jhead 3.03 is affected by: heap-based buffer over-read. The impact is: Denial of service. The component is: ReadJpegSections and process_SOFn in jpgfile.c. The attack vector is: Open a specially crafted JPEG file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-19035 affects jhead version 3.03, a popular command-line utility for extracting and manipulating metadata from jpeg files. This flaw represents a heap-based buffer over-read condition that occurs when processing specially crafted jpeg files, making it a significant security concern for systems that rely on automated jpeg file analysis or processing. The vulnerability specifically manifests in the ReadJpegSections and process_SOFn functions within the jpgfile.c source code component, which are responsible for parsing jpeg file structures and extracting segment information. The attack vector requires only that an adversary open or process a maliciously constructed jpeg file, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in automated environments where file processing occurs without user intervention.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the jpeg parsing routines. When jhead encounters jpeg files with malformed or specially crafted segment headers, particularly those related to the Start of Frame (SOF) segments, the application fails to properly validate buffer boundaries before reading data from memory locations. This over-read condition allows an attacker to access memory regions beyond the intended buffer limits, potentially causing the application to crash or behave unpredictably. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to denial of service scenarios. The impact is specifically categorized as denial of service, meaning that successful exploitation will cause the jhead utility to terminate unexpectedly, rendering it unable to process additional jpeg files until restarted.
The operational implications of CVE-2019-19035 extend beyond simple application crashes, particularly in environments where jhead is used as part of automated workflows or security scanning processes. Systems that rely on jhead for metadata extraction, file validation, or digital forensics may experience service disruption when encountering maliciously crafted jpeg files. This vulnerability is especially concerning in web applications, email systems, or digital asset management platforms that automatically process user-uploaded jpeg content. The low attack complexity and high impact make this a particularly attractive target for adversaries seeking to disrupt services or cause system instability. From an attack perspective, the vulnerability maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as the exploitation involves manipulating file processing workflows, and T1499.004 for network denial of service, since successful exploitation results in service disruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-19035 should prioritize immediate patching of affected jhead installations to version 3.04 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer over-read conditions. Organizations should implement strict input validation measures for all jpeg file processing workflows, including the use of sandboxed environments when processing untrusted content. Network-level defenses can include implementing jpeg file type validation and content filtering to prevent malicious files from reaching systems that process jpeg metadata. Additionally, regular security assessments should be conducted to identify other potentially vulnerable applications that may be using similar jpeg parsing libraries or components. System administrators should monitor for unusual application behavior or crash patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while also ensuring that automated systems are configured to handle application failures gracefully without complete service disruption. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches and implementing defense-in-depth strategies for file processing applications that handle user-supplied content.