CVE-2021-29390 in libjpeg-turbo
Summary
by MITRE • 08/22/2023
libjpeg-turbo version 2.0.90 is vulnerable to a heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability in decompress_smooth_data in jdcoefct.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/16/2023
The heap-buffer-overflow vulnerability in libjpeg-turbo version 2.0.90 represents a critical security flaw within the widely-used JPEG decompression library that impacts numerous applications and systems relying on image processing capabilities. This vulnerability specifically resides in the decompress_smooth_data function located within the jdcoefct.c source file, making it particularly dangerous as it affects the core decompression functionality that handles image data smoothing operations. The issue stems from insufficient bounds checking during the processing of JPEG coefficient data, allowing attackers to potentially manipulate memory allocation and access unauthorized heap regions through crafted malicious JPEG files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of coefficient data during the smoothing phase of JPEG decompression where the library fails to validate the size and boundaries of incoming data before performing memory operations. When processing JPEG images with specific characteristics, the decompress_smooth_data function attempts to read beyond allocated buffer boundaries, creating opportunities for memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code or cause application crashes. This flaw aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a classic example of insufficient input validation in image processing libraries that handle untrusted data from external sources. The vulnerability demonstrates how multimedia processing libraries can become attack vectors when proper memory management and input sanitization are not implemented.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across numerous software ecosystems that depend on libjpeg-turbo for image handling, including web browsers, content management systems, image editing applications, and server-side image processing services. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability by crafting malicious JPEG files that trigger the buffer overflow during decompression, potentially leading to remote code execution, denial of service, or information disclosure depending on the target system's memory layout and security mitigations. The exploitability of this vulnerability is particularly concerning given that JPEG format is ubiquitous across the internet, making it a prime target for attackers seeking to compromise systems through web-based attacks or file upload mechanisms. Organizations using affected versions of libjpeg-turbo should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority risk that could be exploited in the context of web applications, email attachments, or file sharing systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of libjpeg-turbo to version 2.1.0 or later where the heap buffer overflow has been addressed through proper bounds checking and memory validation. System administrators should also implement additional security controls such as input validation for image uploads, sandboxing of image processing operations, and network-based restrictions on file type handling. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of applications that rely on libjpeg-turbo to ensure that the patched version functions correctly without introducing regressions in image processing capabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries, though these measures provide only partial defense against heap-based buffer overflows. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers could potentially execute malicious code through compromised image processing applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date third-party libraries and implementing robust security testing practices for multimedia processing components within applications.