CVE-2024-2824 in jhead
Summary
by MITRE • 03/22/2024
A vulnerability was found in Matthias-Wandel jhead 3.08 and classified as critical. This issue affects the function PrintFormatNumber of the file exif.c. The manipulation leads to heap-based buffer overflow. The attack may be initiated remotely. The exploit has been disclosed to the public and may be used. The associated identifier of this vulnerability is VDB-257711.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-2824 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in Matthias-Wandel jhead version 3.08, specifically within the PrintFormatNumber function located in the exif.c file. This flaw arises from insufficient bounds checking when processing EXIF metadata within image files, creating a potential pathway for arbitrary code execution. The jhead utility is widely used for extracting and manipulating EXIF data from jpeg images, making this vulnerability particularly concerning given its prevalence in various image processing workflows and system administration tools.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the PrintFormatNumber function which handles the formatting and display of numerical values extracted from EXIF metadata. When processing malformed or specially crafted EXIF data, the function fails to validate input lengths against allocated buffer boundaries, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory regions through heap corruption. This heap-based overflow can be triggered during normal operation when jhead processes image files containing maliciously constructed EXIF data, potentially leading to complete system compromise when the utility is executed with elevated privileges.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the remote exploitation capability means attackers can leverage this flaw without physical access to target systems. The public disclosure of exploit code (VDB-257711) significantly increases the risk profile, as malicious actors can readily implement automated attack vectors against systems running vulnerable versions of jhead. This vulnerability affects not only individual users but also organizations that rely on jhead for automated image processing pipelines, potentially compromising entire infrastructure when exploited through web applications or automated systems that process user-uploaded images.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in the context of CWE-121, which addresses stack-based and heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution. Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of all affected systems, implementing input validation controls for EXIF data processing, and deploying network segmentation to limit exposure of systems that process untrusted image files. Additional protective measures include restricting jhead execution permissions, implementing file type validation, and establishing monitoring for suspicious execution patterns. Organizations should also consider disabling automatic EXIF processing in applications that may be vulnerable to this class of attack, while maintaining regular updates to security tooling to detect and prevent exploitation attempts.