CVE-2023-2804 in libjpeg-turbo
Summary
by MITRE • 05/26/2023
A heap-based buffer overflow issue was discovered in libjpeg-turbo in h2v2_merged_upsample_internal() function of jdmrgext.c file. The vulnerability can only be exploited with 12-bit data precision for which the range of the sample data type exceeds the valid sample range, hence, an attacker could craft a 12-bit lossless JPEG image that contains out-of-range 12-bit samples. An application attempting to decompress such image using merged upsampling would lead to segmentation fault or buffer overflows, causing an application to crash.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/16/2025
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-2804 resides within the libjpeg-turbo library's h2v2_merged_upsample_internal() function in the jdmrgext.c source file. This flaw represents a critical security concern that demonstrates the intersection of improper input validation and memory management issues. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of 12-bit lossless JPEG images where sample data exceeds the valid range for the data type, creating conditions where memory corruption can occur during decompression operations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a memory safety error that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The attack vector requires a specific data precision condition that makes this vulnerability somewhat niche but still dangerous when exploited.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs during the merged upsampling process when libjpeg-turbo attempts to handle 12-bit sample data that exceeds the expected range. When an application processes a maliciously crafted 12-bit lossless JPEG image containing out-of-range samples, the h2v2_merged_upsample_internal() function fails to properly validate the sample values against their expected data type boundaries. The function allocates memory based on assumptions about sample values that are violated when out-of-range data is encountered, leading to memory corruption that manifests as segmentation faults or more severe buffer overflow conditions. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, as it involves leveraging application processing of image files to achieve system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-2804 extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks depending on the target environment. Applications that rely on libjpeg-turbo for image processing, including web servers, image editing software, and content management systems, become vulnerable to denial-of-service conditions that can be triggered by uploading malicious JPEG files. The vulnerability's exploitation requires specific conditions related to 12-bit precision data handling, making it less likely to be exploited broadly but still significant for applications that process such image formats. Security researchers note that while the immediate impact may be limited to application crashes, the underlying memory corruption could potentially be leveraged for more advanced exploitation techniques, particularly in environments where memory corruption can be chained with other vulnerabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-2804 should focus on immediate patching of libjpeg-turbo installations to versions that address the buffer overflow condition in the h2v2_merged_upsample_internal() function. System administrators should prioritize updating all affected applications and services that utilize libjpeg-turbo for image processing, particularly those handling user-uploaded content. Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation for JPEG files, deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious image file patterns, and utilizing sandboxing techniques to isolate image processing operations. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime monitoring to detect anomalous memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification as a heap-based buffer overflow suggests that standard memory protection mechanisms like stack canaries or address space layout randomization may not fully prevent exploitation, making comprehensive patch management essential for effective defense against this particular threat vector.