CVE-2022-3597 in LibTIFF
Summary
by MITRE • 10/21/2022
LibTIFF 4.4.0 has an out-of-bounds write in _TIFFmemcpy in libtiff/tif_unix.c:346 when called from extractImageSection, tools/tiffcrop.c:6826, allowing 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 236b7191.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/17/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-3597 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw within the LibTIFF library version 4.4.0, specifically manifesting in the _TIFFmemcpy function located at libtiff/tif_unix.c line 346. This issue occurs during the execution of the extractImageSection function found in tools/tiffcrop.c at line 6826, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted TIFF files can trigger memory corruption. The flaw stems from insufficient bounds checking during memory copying operations, allowing an attacker to write data beyond the allocated memory boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-787 category of out-of-bounds write, which is classified as a serious memory safety issue that can lead to system instability or potential code execution. The attack vector requires an attacker to provide a specially crafted TIFF file that, when processed by applications utilizing the vulnerable LibTIFF library, will cause the out-of-bounds write condition to occur.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial-of-service conditions, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks depending on the execution environment and the applications that utilize LibTIFF. When the out-of-bounds write occurs, it can corrupt adjacent memory regions, leading to unpredictable application behavior, crashes, or in some cases, arbitrary code execution if the memory corruption affects critical program structures. Applications that process TIFF images, including image viewers, editors, and document management systems, become vulnerable when they rely on the affected LibTIFF library version. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in server environments where TIFF files might be processed from untrusted sources, as it could allow remote attackers to cause system-wide denial-of-service conditions or potentially escalate privileges. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access or cause system disruption.
The fix for CVE-2022-3597 is implemented through a specific code commit identified as 236b7191, which addresses the root cause by adding proper bounds checking to the _TIFFmemcpy function. This patch ensures that memory copying operations respect the allocated buffer boundaries and prevents the out-of-bounds write condition from occurring. System administrators and developers should immediately update to the patched version of LibTIFF or apply the specific commit to their installations to mitigate this vulnerability. Organizations using LibTIFF in their software stacks should conduct vulnerability assessments to identify all applications that may be impacted by this issue. The mitigation strategy should include not only updating the library but also implementing proper input validation for TIFF files in applications that process user-provided content. Security teams should monitor for any potential exploitation attempts targeting this vulnerability and ensure that their incident response procedures include remediation steps for this specific memory corruption flaw. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of rigorous memory safety practices in image processing libraries and the critical need for thorough code review and testing of core library functions that handle user-provided data.