OpenEXR 2.2.0 IlmImf/ImfHeader.cpp Header::readfrom resource consumption ⚔ [Disputed]

Summaryinfo

A vulnerability identified as problematic has been detected in OpenEXR 2.2.0. This issue affects the function Header::readfrom of the file IlmImf/ImfHeader.cpp. The manipulation leads to resource consumption. This vulnerability is referenced as CVE-2017-14988. The attack can only be performed from a local environment. No exploit is available. The existence of this vulnerability is still disputed at present.

Detailsinfo

A vulnerability was found in OpenEXR 2.2.0 and classified as problematic. This issue affects the function Header::readfrom of the file IlmImf/ImfHeader.cpp. The manipulation with an unknown input leads to a resource consumption vulnerability. Using CWE to declare the problem leads to CWE-400. The product does not properly control the allocation and maintenance of a limited resource, thereby enabling an actor to influence the amount of resources consumed, eventually leading to the exhaustion of available resources. Impacted is availability. The summary by CVE is:

Header::readfrom in IlmImf/ImfHeader.cpp in OpenEXR 2.2.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (excessive memory allocation) via a crafted file that is accessed with the ImfOpenInputFile function in IlmImf/ImfCRgbaFile.cpp.

The bug was discovered 09/27/2017. The weakness was published 10/03/2017 (Website). It is possible to read the advisory at github.com. The identification of this vulnerability is CVE-2017-14988 since 10/02/2017. The attack may be initiated remotely. No form of authentication is needed for a successful exploitation. It demands that the victim is doing some kind of user interaction. Technical details of the vulnerability are known, but there is no available exploit.

The vulnerability was handled as a non-public zero-day exploit for at least 5 days. During that time the estimated underground price was around $0-$5k. The real existence of this vulnerability is still doubted at the moment. The vulnerability scanner Nessus provides a plugin with the ID 220581 (Linux Distros Unpatched Vulnerability : CVE-2017-14988), which helps to determine the existence of the flaw in a target environment. The commercial vulnerability scanner Qualys is able to test this issue with plugin 277172 (Fedora Security Update for mingw-OpenEXR (FEDORA-2018-f5d2f4ec0d)).

There is no information about possible countermeasures known. It may be suggested to replace the affected object with an alternative product.

The vulnerability is also documented in the vulnerability database at Tenable (220581). Similar entries are available at VDB-101531, VDB-101532, VDB-101533 and VDB-101535. Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

Productinfo

Name

• OpenEXR

Version

• 2.2.0

License

• open-source

Website

• Product: https://github.com/openexr/openexr/

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Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.

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