CVE-2019-12214 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

FreeImage 3.18.0 mishandles the OpenJPEG j2k_read_ppm_v3 function, leading to an out-of-bounds access issue when the value of l_N_ppm exceeds the size of p_header_data.

Understanding CVE-2019-12214

This CVE involves a vulnerability in FreeImage 3.18.0 that can result in out-of-bounds access due to improper handling of a specific function.

What is CVE-2019-12214?

The vulnerability in FreeImage 3.18.0 arises from the mishandling of the OpenJPEG j2k_read_ppm_v3 function in j2k.c, allowing an out-of-bounds access issue when certain conditions are met.

The Impact of CVE-2019-12214

The vulnerability can be exploited to trigger out-of-bounds access, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-12214

FreeImage 3.18.0 is susceptible to an out-of-bounds access vulnerability due to improper handling of the OpenJPEG j2k_read_ppm_v3 function.

Vulnerability Description

The issue occurs when the value of l_N_ppm retrieved from a file exceeds the size of p_header_data, leading to out-of-bounds access.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: FreeImage 3.18.0
Vendor: N/A
Version: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by manipulating the value of l_N_ppm to exceed the size of p_header_data, triggering the out-of-bounds access.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take:

Apply vendor patches or updates as soon as they are available.
Monitor vendor communications for security advisories related to FreeImage. Long-Term Security Practices:
Regularly update software and libraries to the latest versions.
Implement code reviews and security testing to identify and address vulnerabilities.
Follow secure coding practices to prevent similar issues in the future.
Consider using security tools to detect and mitigate out-of-bounds access vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that FreeImage is updated to a patched version that addresses the out-of-bounds access vulnerability.