CVE-2022-2056 in LibTIFF
Summary
by MITRE • 06/30/2022
Divide By Zero error in tiffcrop in libtiff 4.4.0 allows attackers to cause a denial-of-service via a crafted tiff file. For users that compile libtiff from sources, the fix is available with commit f3a5e010.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-2056 represents a critical divide-by-zero error within the tiffcrop utility of libtiff version 4.4.0, creating a significant denial-of-service attack vector for malicious actors. This flaw specifically affects the TIFF (Tagged Image File Format) processing capabilities of the library, which is widely used across various imaging applications and systems for handling raster graphics. The vulnerability manifests when the tiffcrop utility processes a specially crafted TIFF file that contains malformed mathematical operations leading to division by zero conditions during image processing operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the libtiff library's tiffcrop component, which fails to properly sanitize or validate mathematical operations within TIFF image data structures. When processing a maliciously constructed TIFF file, the software encounters a scenario where a division operation attempts to divide by zero, causing the application to crash or terminate unexpectedly. This behavior aligns with CWE-369, which categorizes divide-by-zero errors as a fundamental flaw in input validation and error handling mechanisms. The vulnerability exists at the intersection of improper input validation and inadequate error recovery procedures, creating a condition where a controlled input can trigger an unhandled exception that terminates the application.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses a substantial risk to systems that rely on libtiff for image processing workflows, particularly in environments where automated processing or user-uploaded content is common. Attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting TIFF files that contain specific metadata or image data structures designed to trigger the division by zero condition during processing. The impact extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially disrupt critical imaging workflows, automated processing pipelines, or content management systems that depend on stable TIFF handling capabilities. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which describes the use of resource exhaustion or service disruption attacks, and represents a classic example of how seemingly benign input processing can become a vector for system compromise through denial-of-service mechanisms.
The remediation for this vulnerability requires immediate application of the fix provided in commit f3a5e010 for users who compile libtiff from source code, while those using packaged versions should upgrade to libtiff 4.4.0.1 or later releases that contain the patched implementation. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those handling user-uploaded content or automated image processing workflows where the risk of exploitation is highest. Organizations should also implement additional defensive measures such as input sanitization, file type validation, and sandboxed processing environments to reduce the attack surface and prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other components of their imaging pipelines. The fix addresses the root cause by implementing proper validation of mathematical operations within image data structures and ensuring that division operations include appropriate checks for zero denominators, thereby preventing the crash condition that would otherwise occur during normal processing of malformed TIFF files.