CVE-2021-31291 in Exiv2
Summary
by MITRE • 07/26/2021
A heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in jp2image.cpp of Exiv2 0.27.3 allows attackers to cause a denial of service (DOS) via crafted metadata.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2024
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2021-31291 resides within the jp2image.cpp component of Exiv2 version 0.27.3, representing a critical security flaw that enables attackers to execute denial of service attacks through the manipulation of crafted metadata. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of JPEG 2000 image files where the library processes embedded metadata structures without adequate bounds checking, creating an opportunity for memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical flaw manifests when Exiv2 processes malformed or specially crafted JPEG 2000 files containing manipulated metadata fields that exceed allocated buffer boundaries during memory allocation and data processing operations. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the jp2image.cpp file where the library attempts to parse and handle various metadata elements without proper boundary checks. This allows attackers to craft malicious image files that trigger heap memory corruption when the library attempts to read or write beyond allocated memory regions, potentially leading to application crashes or system instability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that process or handle JPEG 2000 image files, particularly those that utilize Exiv2 for metadata extraction or image processing tasks. The denial of service impact can be severe in environments where automated image processing workflows, content management systems, or digital asset management platforms rely on Exiv2 functionality. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by uploading or processing specially crafted JPEG 2000 files that cause the target application to crash or become unresponsive, effectively rendering the service unavailable to legitimate users.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1499.001 for resource exhaustion attacks. Organizations utilizing Exiv2 in production environments face potential operational disruptions, particularly in web applications, file processing systems, and automated workflows that process user-uploaded content. The attack surface expands to include any system that accepts or processes JPEG 2000 files, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments with high-volume image processing requirements.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of Exiv2 to version 0.27.4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this heap overflow vulnerability. Additionally, implementing input validation measures that restrict or sanitize metadata content, deploying sandboxing mechanisms for image processing, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect unusual processing patterns can help reduce the attack surface. Organizations should also consider implementing automated scanning tools that can identify and block malformed JPEG 2000 files before they reach critical processing components, while maintaining regular security updates and vulnerability assessments to ensure continued protection against similar threats.