CVE-2024-28584 in FreeImage
Summary
by MITRE • 03/20/2024
Null Pointer Dereference vulnerability in open source FreeImage v.3.19.0 [r1909] allows a local attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) via the J2KImageToFIBITMAP() function when reading images in J2K format.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-28584 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the FreeImage library version 3.19.0, specifically affecting the J2KImageToFIBITMAP() function responsible for processing JPEG 2000 image format files. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms within the image parsing routine, creating a condition where the software attempts to dereference a null pointer when encountering malformed or specially crafted J2K image data. The vulnerability manifests during the conversion process from JPEG 2000 format to FreeImage's internal BITMAP structure, making it particularly dangerous in applications that rely heavily on image processing capabilities. The flaw exists at the intersection of software security and image processing standards, where proper input sanitization should prevent such conditions from occurring in production environments.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a local attacker provides a maliciously crafted J2K image file that triggers the null pointer dereference during the image conversion process. The J2KImageToFIBITMAP() function fails to properly validate the structure of incoming JPEG 2000 data, leading to a scenario where a null pointer is accessed and dereferenced, causing an application crash or system hang. This behavior directly maps to CWE-476, which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions in software implementations. The vulnerability is classified as a local privilege escalation risk since it requires the attacker to have local access to the system and the ability to execute code that utilizes the vulnerable FreeImage library, typically through applications such as image viewers, editors, or any software that integrates FreeImage for image handling operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant denial of service risk to systems that depend on FreeImage for image processing tasks. Applications using the affected library may experience unexpected crashes, system instability, or complete service unavailability when processing J2K formatted images, potentially affecting critical workflows in graphic design, medical imaging, or multimedia applications. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to potential data integrity concerns, as applications may fail to properly handle image files or could exhibit unpredictable behavior when encountering corrupted input data. The vulnerability's local nature limits its scope but does not diminish its potential impact on system reliability and user experience. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks through application-level flaws, and T1059.001, representing command and scripting interpreter usage for exploitation purposes.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2024-28584 should prioritize immediate patching of the FreeImage library to version 3.19.1 or later, which contains the necessary code fixes to prevent the null pointer dereference condition. System administrators should implement input validation measures that sanitize all J2K image data before processing, particularly in environments where user-supplied images are accepted. Applications integrating FreeImage should implement robust error handling and exception management around image conversion functions, including proper null pointer checks and graceful degradation mechanisms. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual application behavior or crash patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing or containerization strategies for image processing applications to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date open source libraries and implementing comprehensive security testing procedures that include fuzzing and input validation checks for image processing components.