CVE-2024-26540 in Clmg
Summary
by MITRE • 03/15/2024
A heap-based buffer overflow in Clmg before 3.3.3 can occur via a crafted file to cimg_library::CImg::_load_analyze.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/15/2025
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-26540 affects the cimg_library component within Clmg versions prior to 3.3.3. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation and memory management within the _load_analyze function which processes medical imaging files in the analyze format. The flaw manifests when the library encounters a specially crafted file that contains malformed header data or incorrect dimension specifications. The vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a heap-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. The affected function processes the analyze file format which is commonly used in medical imaging applications and scientific data processing environments, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for healthcare and research institutions that rely on such software stacks. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting malicious analyze format files that trigger memory corruption during the file loading process, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or application crashes.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the cimg_library attempts to parse analyze file headers and allocate memory based on parsed dimension values without adequate validation of these parameters. When the malicious file contains oversized or malformed dimension specifications, the library's memory allocation routines fail to properly constrain buffer sizes, allowing subsequent writes to overflow heap memory regions. This memory corruption can overwrite adjacent data structures, function pointers, or return addresses within the program's memory space. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through legitimate file processing operations, meaning that simply opening or loading a crafted file can result in system compromise. The heap overflow occurs during the initialization phase of file loading, making it difficult to detect and prevent through standard runtime protections. The vulnerability affects the broader ATT&CK matrix under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on vulnerable systems. Additionally, this vulnerability relates to T1203 as it could be used to gain unauthorized access to system resources through memory corruption techniques.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends across multiple domains including medical imaging systems, scientific research environments, and computational analysis platforms that utilize the cimg_library for image processing. Healthcare organizations using legacy medical imaging software that depends on this library may face significant risks as attackers could potentially compromise patient data integrity or availability through exploitation of this vulnerability. Research institutions and universities that employ scientific computing frameworks relying on analyze file formats for data storage and processing are equally at risk, as these environments often process large volumes of sensitive research data. The vulnerability's exploitation potential makes it particularly attractive to threat actors targeting organizations with valuable medical or scientific data assets. Organizations running vulnerable versions of Clmg may experience denial of service conditions, data corruption, or complete system compromise depending on the success of exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's presence in widely-used image processing libraries means that numerous downstream applications may be affected, creating a cascading risk across interconnected systems that depend on the cimg_library for image manipulation and analysis tasks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-26540 primarily focus on immediate version upgrades to Clmg 3.3.3 or later, which includes patched memory validation routines and improved bounds checking within the _load_analyze function. System administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory audits to identify all systems running vulnerable versions of the library and prioritize patch deployment across all affected environments. Network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure of systems that process external analyze files, particularly in healthcare and research environments where such files may be received from untrusted sources. Input validation should be enhanced at the application layer to perform additional checks on file headers and dimension parameters before passing files to the cimg_library for processing. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potential heap overflow vulnerabilities within similar image processing libraries. Organizations should also implement monitoring solutions to detect anomalous file processing behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, including unexpected memory usage patterns or application crashes during file loading operations. The vulnerability's classification as CWE-121 underscores the importance of implementing robust memory safety practices in software development, including the use of modern programming languages with built-in memory safety features or comprehensive static and dynamic analysis tools to detect similar issues in other libraries and applications.