CVE-2024-28573 in FreeImage
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2024
Buffer Overflow vulnerability in open source FreeImage v.3.19.0 [r1909] allows a local attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) via the jpeg_read_exif_profile() function when reading images in JPEG format.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/13/2025
The buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-28573 affects the FreeImage library version 3.19.0 release 1909 and represents a critical security flaw that enables local attackers to execute denial of service attacks. This vulnerability specifically manifests within the jpeg_read_exif_profile() function, which processes images in JPEG format and handles EXIF metadata extraction. The flaw occurs when the library attempts to read and parse EXIF profile data from JPEG files without adequate bounds checking, creating an opportunity for malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory regions. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory buffers, potentially leading to system instability or complete service disruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the improper handling of image metadata during the JPEG parsing process. When FreeImage encounters a JPEG file containing specially crafted EXIF data, the jpeg_read_exif_profile() function fails to validate the size of the incoming data before attempting to copy it into fixed-size buffers. This lack of input validation creates a predictable overflow condition that can be triggered by constructing malicious JPEG files with oversized EXIF profiles. The attack vector is local in nature, meaning an attacker must already have access to the system to exploit this vulnerability, but the impact can be severe as it can cause the affected application to crash or become unresponsive. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks, and more specifically targets the application layer by exploiting memory corruption in image processing libraries.
The operational impact of CVE-2024-28573 extends beyond simple service disruption as it affects any application that relies on FreeImage for JPEG image processing, including web applications, image viewers, content management systems, and digital asset management platforms. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause cascading failures in systems that depend on image processing functionality, potentially affecting entire web services or desktop applications. The local nature of the attack means that it cannot be exploited remotely over the network, but it does represent a significant risk in environments where untrusted image files are processed, such as user-uploaded content systems or image processing pipelines. Organizations using FreeImage in their applications face potential service degradation or complete application crashes, which can result in business disruption and loss of productivity. The vulnerability particularly affects systems that process large volumes of user-generated content or automated image processing workflows, making it a critical concern for web platforms and content management systems. The flaw demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in open source libraries, as demonstrated by the Common Weakness Enumeration standard CWE-121, which emphasizes the need for proper buffer management and bounds checking in software development.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-28573 should include immediate patching of the FreeImage library to version 3.19.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement input validation measures to sanitize JPEG files before processing, particularly when handling user-uploaded content. Additionally, application-level protections such as memory protection mechanisms, stack canaries, and address space layout randomization can help reduce the exploitability of similar vulnerabilities. System administrators should monitor for any signs of exploitation attempts and ensure that all systems using FreeImage are regularly updated with security patches. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date open source components and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures for image processing functionality. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit potential attack surfaces, particularly in environments where multiple applications depend on the same vulnerable library. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in image processing functionality while maintaining the security improvements.