CVE-2022-2057 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-2022-2057 represents a critical divide-by-zero error within the tiffcrop utility of libtiff version 4.4.0, creating a significant denial-of-service condition that can be exploited through maliciously crafted TIFF image files. This flaw exists in the image processing pipeline where the software fails to properly validate division operations during image cropping procedures, specifically when handling malformed input data that contains zero values in denominator positions. The issue manifests when the tiffcrop utility processes TIFF files that contain corrupted metadata or improperly structured image data that triggers arithmetic operations resulting in division by zero, causing the application to crash or terminate unexpectedly.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-369, which specifically addresses the divide-by-zero error condition that occurs when a program attempts to divide a number by zero, leading to program termination or unpredictable behavior. This particular implementation flaw demonstrates how image processing libraries can become attack vectors when they fail to implement proper input validation and error handling mechanisms. The vulnerability affects the tiffcrop utility which is part of the broader libtiff software suite used extensively for handling Tagged Image File Format files across various operating systems and applications. When an attacker crafts a TIFF file containing maliciously constructed data that triggers the division operation with zero as the divisor, the program execution crashes immediately, rendering the utility completely non-functional for legitimate users.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it can be leveraged in automated attack scenarios where adversaries systematically submit malformed TIFF files to systems running vulnerable versions of libtiff. This creates a reliable method for causing denial-of-service conditions against systems that depend on image processing capabilities, particularly affecting web applications, content management systems, and digital asset management platforms that process user-uploaded TIFF files. The vulnerability's exploitation is straightforward and requires minimal technical expertise, making it attractive to attackers seeking to disrupt services or create system instability. Systems that process TIFF files through the tiffcrop utility become particularly vulnerable, including servers that handle image conversion, batch processing, or automated document workflows where the utility is invoked programmatically.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-2057 primarily focus on immediate patching through the referenced commit f3a5e010 which implements proper input validation to prevent division operations with zero values. Organizations should prioritize updating their libtiff installations to versions that include this fix, particularly those running custom compiled versions of the software. Additionally, implementing input validation measures at the application level can provide defense-in-depth protection by sanitizing TIFF file inputs before they reach the vulnerable tiffcrop utility. Network-based mitigations could include content filtering systems that scan for suspicious TIFF file characteristics or employ sandboxing techniques to isolate image processing operations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper error handling in image processing libraries and demonstrates how seemingly minor mathematical operations can create critical security weaknesses when not properly protected against malformed input data, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for denial-of-service attacks through resource exhaustion or process termination.