CVE-2022-37768 in libjpeg
Summary
by MITRE • 08/19/2022
libjpeg commit 281daa9 was discovered to contain an infinite loop via the component Frame::ParseTrailer.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/19/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-37768 resides within the libjpeg library, a widely-used software component for handling jpeg image format processing. This library forms the foundation for numerous applications across operating systems and software platforms that require jpeg image manipulation capabilities. The specific flaw manifests in the Frame::ParseTrailer function which processes trailer data within jpeg frames during image parsing operations. This infinite loop vulnerability represents a critical security concern as it can be exploited to cause denial of service conditions across any system utilizing the affected library. The vulnerability was introduced through commit 281daa9 in the libjpeg codebase, indicating a regression or new implementation flaw that was not properly validated during development cycles. The issue affects systems that process jpeg files through the libjpeg library, including web servers, image processing applications, and any software that relies on jpeg decoding functionality.
The technical nature of this vulnerability involves an infinite loop condition within the Frame::ParseTrailer method, which is triggered when parsing specific jpeg trailer data structures. When malicious or malformed jpeg data is processed, the parsing routine enters a continuous loop that consumes system resources without making forward progress. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-835 category of infinite loops or recursion, where a program fails to properly terminate execution due to flawed loop condition logic. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation and error handling within the jpeg parsing routine, as the system fails to detect and terminate malformed data processing. Attackers can exploit this by crafting specially formatted jpeg files that trigger the loop condition, causing system resources to be consumed indefinitely until the process is manually terminated or the system becomes unresponsive.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-37768 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially affect system availability and stability across numerous platforms. Web applications that accept user-uploaded jpeg files become particularly vulnerable, as attackers can upload malicious images to trigger the infinite loop condition on web servers. This vulnerability affects systems running on various operating systems including windows linux and unix based platforms where libjpeg is integrated. The resource exhaustion caused by the infinite loop can lead to system crashes, application hangs, and cascading failures in multi-threaded environments. Additionally, the vulnerability can be leveraged in distributed denial of service attacks where multiple systems are simultaneously targeted, amplifying the impact of the attack. The widespread use of libjpeg in image processing applications means that numerous software vendors and system administrators must address this vulnerability to maintain system integrity and availability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-37768 should focus on immediate patching of affected libjpeg versions to address the infinite loop condition in Frame::ParseTrailer. System administrators should prioritize updating their libjpeg installations to versions that contain the fix for commit 281daa9, which resolves the loop condition logic. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization measures for jpeg files processed by applications to detect and reject malformed data before it reaches the vulnerable parsing routines. Network monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual resource consumption patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper software testing including fuzzing and boundary condition testing to prevent similar issues in future development cycles. Security teams should conduct vulnerability assessments across their infrastructure to identify all systems utilizing affected libjpeg versions and ensure proper remediation. Implementation of web application firewalls and content filtering mechanisms can provide additional protection layers against malicious jpeg file uploads. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service, emphasizing the need for proper input validation and resource management in image processing applications.