CVE-2023-1906 in ImageMagick
Summary
by MITRE • 04/13/2023
A heap-based buffer overflow issue was discovered in ImageMagick's ImportMultiSpectralQuantum() function in MagickCore/quantum-import.c. An attacker could pass specially crafted file to convert, triggering an out-of-bounds read error, allowing an application to crash, resulting in a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/13/2025
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-1906 resides within ImageMagick's ImportMultiSpectralQuantum() function located in MagickCore/quantum-import.c. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that affects the image processing library's handling of multi-spectral image data. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes specially crafted input files through the convert utility, which is widely used for image format conversion and manipulation across various platforms and applications. The flaw operates at the memory management level where improper bounds checking allows malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory regions, creating a potential attack vector that can be exploited by adversaries seeking to disrupt system operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the ImportMultiSpectralQuantum() function which fails to properly verify the size and structure of multi-spectral image data before processing. When an attacker supplies a malformed image file containing crafted quantum data, the function attempts to read beyond the allocated heap memory boundaries, resulting in an out-of-bounds read condition. This memory corruption scenario occurs during the quantum import process where image data is converted from one format to another, specifically affecting the handling of spectral information in multi-channel image files. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a heap-based buffer overflow, representing a direct violation of memory safety principles where the application writes data beyond the allocated buffer limits.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-1906 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors when combined with other vulnerabilities or exploitation techniques. Systems utilizing ImageMagick's convert utility for image processing are particularly vulnerable, including web applications, content management systems, and digital asset management platforms that process user-uploaded images. The vulnerability can be triggered through various attack surfaces where image conversion services are exposed, such as file upload handlers, image processing APIs, or automated workflow systems. Attackers can leverage this flaw to cause application crashes, system instability, or potentially achieve remote code execution depending on the broader system architecture and memory protection mechanisms in place. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1203 (Exploitation for Execution) and T1499 (Endpoint Denial of Service) categories.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-1906 should prioritize immediate patching of affected ImageMagick installations to version 7.1.0-32 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the heap-based buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation and sanitization measures for all image processing workflows, particularly those involving user-uploaded content or external image sources. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit exposure of vulnerable image processing services, while implementing application-level firewalls and intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify systems running outdated ImageMagick versions, with automated patch management processes established to ensure timely remediation. Additionally, developers should consider implementing memory safety mechanisms such as address sanitizer or heap protection features when integrating ImageMagick libraries into their applications, while maintaining strict input validation protocols to prevent malicious file processing scenarios that could trigger the buffer overflow condition.