CVE-2023-47996 in FreeImage
Summary
by MITRE • 01/10/2024
An integer overflow vulnerability in Exif.cpp::jpeg_read_exif_dir in FreeImage 3.18.0 allows attackers to obtain information and cause a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/24/2026
The integer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2023-47996 resides within the FreeImage library version 3.18.0, specifically in the Exif.cpp file at the jpeg_read_exif_dir function. This flaw represents a critical security weakness that can be exploited by malicious actors to manipulate integer values beyond their maximum representable limits, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior in the affected software systems. The vulnerability manifests when processing Exif metadata within jpeg image files, where the library fails to properly validate integer values during the parsing process. This issue falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented weakness in software development that occurs when an integer value exceeds its maximum limit and wraps around to a smaller value. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through the processing of malformed jpeg files containing crafted Exif data, making it a potential vector for both information disclosure and denial of service attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of integer variables during the parsing of Exif directory structures within jpeg files. When the jpeg_read_exif_dir function processes Exif metadata, it performs calculations that assume certain integer values will remain within expected bounds. However, an attacker can craft malicious jpeg files with oversized or malformed Exif tags that cause integer overflow conditions when the library attempts to allocate memory or process metadata sizes. This overflow can result in memory corruption, where subsequent operations may read from or write to unintended memory locations, potentially exposing sensitive information or causing the application to crash. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in applications that use FreeImage for image processing, as it can be exploited through simple file uploads or image processing operations without requiring special privileges or complex attack vectors. The flaw demonstrates poor input validation practices and highlights the importance of implementing robust integer overflow protections in image processing libraries that handle untrusted data.
The operational impact of CVE-2023-47996 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks depending on the context in which FreeImage is deployed. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause applications using FreeImage to crash or behave unpredictably, leading to service disruption and potential information leakage through memory corruption. The vulnerability affects systems that process jpeg images from untrusted sources, including web applications, image processing services, and content management systems that utilize FreeImage for image handling. Attackers could leverage this flaw to perform denial of service attacks against web applications that accept image uploads, potentially causing widespread service disruption. Additionally, the integer overflow may enable attackers to gain partial control over memory operations, potentially allowing for information disclosure or even remote code execution in some scenarios, though the latter requires additional conditions and is less likely than the primary denial of service impact. The vulnerability's exploitation is particularly concerning in automated image processing pipelines where malicious files could be uploaded and processed without manual intervention, making it a significant risk for online services and cloud-based image processing platforms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2023-47996 should focus on immediate patching of affected FreeImage versions, with the release of version 3.18.1 addressing this specific vulnerability through proper integer bounds checking and validation. Organizations should implement strict input validation for all image files processed through FreeImage, including size and metadata validation before processing, to prevent exploitation of this integer overflow condition. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution and T1499: Endpoint Denial of Service, highlighting the need for defensive measures that monitor for unusual memory access patterns and implement sandboxing for image processing operations. Additional mitigations include deploying web application firewalls that can detect and block suspicious image file patterns, implementing proper error handling and crash recovery mechanisms, and conducting regular security assessments of image processing pipelines. System administrators should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of exploitation, while developers should ensure that all integer operations include proper overflow checks and that input validation is performed at multiple layers of the application stack. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date third-party libraries and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures that include fuzzing and static analysis to identify similar integer overflow conditions in other components of the software supply chain.