CVE-2024-0080 in nvTIFF Library
Summary
by MITRE • 04/05/2024
NVIDIA nvTIFF Library for Windows and Linux contains a vulnerability where improper input validation might enable an attacker to use a specially crafted input file. A successful exploit of this vulnerability might lead to a partial denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/08/2025
The NVIDIA nvTIFF library vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the handling of TIFF image files across both Windows and Linux operating systems. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the library's processing routines, creating an exploitable condition that could allow malicious actors to craft specially formatted TIFF files designed to trigger unexpected behavior in the library's parsing functions. The issue affects the fundamental image processing capabilities of systems that rely on NVIDIA's nvTIFF library for TIFF file handling, potentially compromising system stability and availability. The vulnerability's cross-platform nature means that both Windows and Linux environments utilizing this library are equally at risk, making it particularly concerning for enterprise environments where multiple operating systems may be present.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the library's failure to properly validate the structure and content of TIFF files during the parsing process. When processing malformed or specially crafted input files, the nvTIFF library does not adequately sanitize the data before attempting to interpret or render the image components. This lack of proper validation creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate the file structure in ways that cause the library to behave unpredictably, potentially leading to memory corruption, infinite loops, or other conditions that result in partial denial of service. The flaw operates at the input validation layer, where the library should perform comprehensive checks on file headers, data offsets, and metadata structures but fails to do so effectively. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-20, which specifically addresses improper input validation issues that can lead to various security consequences including denial of service conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the reliability of applications that depend on the nvTIFF library for image processing. Systems utilizing this library for document management, image processing workflows, or any application that handles TIFF files could experience partial denial of service when encountering maliciously crafted files. The vulnerability's exploitation could affect web applications, desktop software, and server-based systems that process user-uploaded TIFF content. In enterprise environments, this could lead to significant operational disruptions, particularly in scenarios where automated image processing pipelines are in use. The partial denial of service characteristic suggests that while complete system compromise may not occur, the affected applications or services could become unresponsive or significantly degraded in performance, potentially affecting business operations and user productivity.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the latest NVIDIA updates that address the input validation flaws. Organizations should implement strict file validation procedures for any TIFF files processed by systems utilizing the nvTIFF library, including preliminary scanning and sanitization before processing. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation by restricting access to systems that process TIFF files. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual patterns in image processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques for image processing applications can provide additional layers of protection. The vulnerability's classification under ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service indicates that defensive measures should consider both endpoint and network-based detection capabilities to identify potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems and applications that utilize the affected nvTIFF library version and prioritize remediation efforts accordingly.