CVE-2022-24613 in metadata-extractor
Summary
by MITRE • 02/24/2022
metadata-extractor up to 2.16.0 can throw various uncaught exceptions while parsing a specially crafted JPEG file, which could result in an application crash. This could be used to mount a denial of service attack against services that use metadata-extractor library.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-24613 affects the metadata-extractor library version 2.16.0 and earlier, representing a significant security concern for applications that process image metadata. This issue stems from inadequate exception handling within the library's JPEG parsing functionality, creating a potential attack vector for malicious actors seeking to disrupt service availability. The vulnerability manifests when the library encounters specially crafted JPEG files that trigger uncaught exceptions during metadata extraction processes.
The technical flaw resides in the library's failure to properly validate and handle malformed JPEG data structures during parsing operations. When processing maliciously constructed JPEG files, the metadata-extractor library throws various uncaught exceptions that propagate up through the application stack without proper error recovery mechanisms. This lack of robust exception handling creates a direct pathway for denial of service conditions where application processes terminate unexpectedly due to unhandled runtime exceptions. The vulnerability operates at the parsing layer of the library, specifically targeting the metadata extraction routines that are commonly invoked by web services, file processing applications, and content management systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes to encompass broader service availability concerns. Attackers can exploit this weakness by uploading or submitting specially crafted JPEG files to applications that rely on metadata-extractor, thereby triggering the uncaught exceptions and causing service disruption. This creates a reliable denial of service condition that can affect web applications, file processing systems, and any service that accepts user-uploaded images without proper validation. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in high-traffic environments where a single malicious file could cause cascading failures across multiple application instances, making it a preferred target for distributed denial of service attacks.
Organizations utilizing the metadata-extractor library should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to version 2.17.0 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through enhanced exception handling and input validation. Additionally, applications should incorporate defensive programming practices such as wrapping metadata extraction calls in comprehensive try-catch blocks to prevent exception propagation. The implementation of input sanitization and file format validation before processing can serve as an additional layer of protection. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-459, which addresses incomplete cleanup of resources, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. Security teams should also consider implementing monitoring for unusual application crash patterns and establish automated alerting for service availability issues that could indicate exploitation attempts.