CVE-2022-48237 in SC9863A
Summary
by MITRE • 05/09/2023
In Image filter, there is a possible out of bounds write due to a missing bounds check. This could lead to local denial of service with System execution privileges needed.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/28/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-48237 resides within the image filter component of a software system, representing a critical out-of-bounds write condition that arises from insufficient input validation. This flaw manifests when the image processing functionality fails to properly verify array bounds before writing data, creating an exploitable scenario where malicious input can cause memory corruption. The vulnerability specifically impacts systems that process image files through filtering operations, making it particularly concerning for applications handling user-uploaded media content or image processing workflows. According to the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog, this vulnerability maps to CWE-787, which describes out-of-bounds write conditions that occur when an application writes data past the end of a buffer, potentially leading to system instability or arbitrary code execution. The security implications extend beyond simple denial of service as the flaw requires system execution privileges to exploit, indicating that an attacker with local access could leverage this weakness to compromise system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic buffer management error within the image processing pipeline where the software does not adequately validate the size or boundaries of input data before performing write operations. When an image filter processes user-supplied data, the absence of proper bounds checking allows for data to be written beyond allocated memory regions, potentially overwriting adjacent memory locations. This condition typically occurs during image manipulation tasks such as resizing, cropping, or applying filters that require processing pixel data in arrays or buffers. The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it can result in local denial of service conditions where the application crashes or becomes unresponsive, effectively preventing legitimate users from accessing the affected system. From an attacker perspective, the requirement for system execution privileges suggests this vulnerability is likely exploitable in local privilege escalation scenarios or when combined with other attack vectors, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users have the ability to execute code on the target system.
The exploitation of CVE-2022-48237 aligns with tactics and techniques documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the category of privilege escalation and execution. Specifically, this vulnerability could be leveraged as part of a broader attack chain where an adversary first gains local access through other means and then uses this out-of-bounds write condition to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability's classification as a local denial of service with system execution privileges required indicates that it operates at the system level rather than being a remote exploit, which means it would typically be used in scenarios involving compromised local accounts or insider threats. Organizations should consider this vulnerability in their threat modeling exercises, particularly in environments where image processing applications are used for content management or user-generated content platforms. The vulnerability's impact extends to both availability and integrity aspects of the system, potentially allowing attackers to disrupt service availability while simultaneously compromising data integrity through memory corruption.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2022-48237 should focus on implementing robust input validation and bounds checking mechanisms within the image processing pipeline. Security patches should include comprehensive buffer overflow protection measures such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and heap metadata validation. Organizations should also implement strict input sanitization procedures that validate image file formats and dimensions before processing, ensuring that all array operations include proper boundary checks. The remediation process should involve thorough code review of the image filter functionality to identify and correct all potential buffer overflow scenarios, particularly those involving dynamic memory allocation and array indexing operations. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for unusual application behavior or crash patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and implement proper logging mechanisms to track image processing activities. From a defensive standpoint, the vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software versions and implementing security development lifecycle practices that emphasize secure coding standards and regular vulnerability assessments. The presence of this vulnerability in image processing components also highlights the need for specialized security testing focused on multimedia processing libraries and frameworks to prevent similar issues in other media handling functionalities.