CVE-2019-5100 in LEADTOOLS
Summary
by MITRE
An exploitable integer overflow vulnerability exists in the BMP header parsing functionality of LEADTOOLS 20. A specially crafted BMP image file can cause an integer overflow, potentially resulting in code execution. An attacker can specially craft a BMP image to trigger this vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-5100 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the LEADTOOLS 20 software library's BMP header parsing mechanism. This issue resides in the handling of bitmap image file structures where the software fails to properly validate integer values during header processing. The vulnerability specifically manifests when parsing BMP image files that contain maliciously crafted header data, creating conditions where arithmetic operations exceed the maximum representable value for the integer data type. Such overflow conditions can lead to unpredictable behavior in memory allocation and data processing routines, creating potential entry points for malicious exploitation. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-190, which catalogs integer overflow vulnerabilities that occur when operations on signed or unsigned integers exceed their maximum or minimum representable values. This vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1203, as it represents an exploitation of a software vulnerability through crafted input data that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the parsing of BMP file headers where the software reads dimension values, file sizes, and other metadata fields that are susceptible to integer overflow conditions. When an attacker crafts a BMP file with maliciously large values in these header fields, the application's parsing logic fails to detect the overflow condition, allowing the corrupted integer values to propagate through subsequent processing steps. The overflow typically occurs during calculations involving image dimensions or file size parameters where the multiplication or addition of header values exceeds the bounds of the integer storage type. This can result in heap-based buffer overflows or other memory corruption scenarios that provide attackers with opportunities to inject and execute malicious code. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because BMP files are commonly used image formats that are processed by numerous applications, making the attack surface broad and potentially affecting various software systems that utilize LEADTOOLS for image processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-5100 extends beyond simple code execution capabilities to encompass broader system compromise scenarios. Successful exploitation can enable attackers to gain unauthorized control over systems that process BMP images through vulnerable LEADTOOLS implementations, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability can be triggered through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing scenarios where users open BMP images with vulnerable software. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that BMP files are widely supported across different operating systems and applications, increasing the potential attack surface. Security researchers have noted that the integer overflow can be leveraged to manipulate memory layout and potentially bypass modern security protections such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization. The vulnerability's impact is further amplified by the fact that LEADTOOLS is commonly integrated into enterprise applications, medical imaging systems, and other critical software platforms where unauthorized code execution could have severe consequences.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-5100 should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. Organizations utilizing LEADTOOLS 20 should prioritize updating to the latest available version that includes fixes for this integer overflow vulnerability. The vendor has released patches that properly validate integer values during BMP header parsing and implement bounds checking to prevent overflow conditions. Network security controls should include filtering of BMP file attachments and implementing sandboxing mechanisms for image processing operations. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for suspicious file processing activities and implement application whitelisting to restrict execution of vulnerable software components. The mitigation approach should align with security frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53 controls for vulnerability management and software security. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protection mechanisms and intrusion detection systems to identify potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments of image processing pipelines and comprehensive vulnerability scanning of systems using LEADTOOLS can help identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities before they can be exploited in real-world scenarios.