CVE-2025-31344 in giflib
Summary
by MITRE • 04/14/2025
Heap-based Buffer Overflow vulnerability in openEuler giflib on Linux. This vulnerability is associated with program files gif2rgb.C.
This issue affects giflib: through 5.2.2.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/14/2025
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-31344 resides within the openEuler giflib library version 5.2.2 and earlier, specifically affecting the gif2rgb.C program file. This vulnerability represents a critical security flaw that can potentially allow attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause application crashes through maliciously crafted gif image files. The issue stems from improper input validation and memory management within the giflib library's handling of gif image data, particularly when processing rgb color information during gif file conversion operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a heap-based buffer overflow, which occurs when more data is written to a heap-allocated buffer than its allocated size permits, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when the gif2rgb.C utility processes gif files containing malformed or oversized color table entries that exceed the expected buffer boundaries. During the parsing of gif image data, the library fails to properly validate the size of color information before copying it into allocated memory buffers, creating an opportunity for attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal file processing operations without requiring special privileges, making it an attractive target for remote exploitation. The attack surface extends beyond simple denial of service to include potential code execution, as demonstrated by similar heap-based buffer overflow exploits in multimedia libraries. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1555.003 for credentials from password storage modules, as attackers could potentially leverage such vulnerabilities to gain system access or escalate privileges.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-31344 extends across multiple system components that rely on giflib for image processing functionality, particularly in web servers, image processing applications, and multimedia software packages. Systems running openEuler distributions with affected giflib versions are vulnerable to both local and remote exploitation scenarios, with the potential for complete system compromise if attackers can successfully execute malicious code through crafted gif files. The vulnerability affects not only direct users of the gif2rgb utility but also any applications that depend on giflib for gif file handling, creating a broad attack surface that includes web applications, content management systems, and image conversion tools. Organizations using affected systems should consider the potential for data exfiltration, system instability, and unauthorized access as consequences of this vulnerability. The risk assessment indicates that this vulnerability should be prioritized for immediate remediation due to its potential for remote code execution and the widespread use of giflib across various Linux distributions and applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-31344 include immediate patching of giflib to version 5.2.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for buffer overflow protections. System administrators should also implement input validation measures for gif files processed by applications, including file size restrictions and format validation checks. Network-based mitigations such as web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious gif file uploads, while runtime protections like address space layout randomization and stack canaries can make exploitation more difficult. Additionally, organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems using affected giflib versions and implement proper monitoring for suspicious file processing activities. The remediation process should include updating all dependent applications and ensuring that the patched giflib library is properly integrated into system configurations. Regular security audits and vulnerability scanning should be performed to identify similar issues in other multimedia libraries and prevent future exploitation attempts, as heap-based buffer overflows remain a common class of vulnerabilities in image processing and multimedia applications.