CVE-2017-6961 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A problem was found in the software apng2gif version 1.7, leading to excessive memory allocations and system crashes due to insufficient cleaning of user input.

Understanding CVE-2017-6961

This CVE relates to a vulnerability in apng2gif version 1.7 that results in memory allocation issues and system crashes.

What is CVE-2017-6961?

The vulnerability in apng2gif version 1.7 stems from inadequate sanitization of user input, causing significant memory allocations and subsequent system crashes. The flaw is specifically associated with the read_chunk function's reliance on the pChunk->size value from the PNG file to determine memory allocation size.

The Impact of CVE-2017-6961

The vulnerability can lead to system crashes and potential denial of service (DoS) attacks due to excessive memory consumption.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-6961

This section provides technical insights into the CVE-2017-6961 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The issue in apng2gif version 1.7 results from improper handling of user input, causing large memory allocations and system crashes.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Versions: All versions of apng2gif 1.7 are affected.

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by providing crafted input to the read_chunk function, manipulating the pChunk->size value to trigger excessive memory allocations.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-6961 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or uninstall the affected software version 1.7 of apng2gif.
Implement input validation mechanisms to prevent malicious input.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software to patched versions.
Conduct security audits to identify and address similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure timely installation of patches and updates released by the software vendor to address the vulnerability.