CVE-2023-41175: Understanding the Vulnerability in libtiff and How to Address It

A vulnerability has been found in the popular image library, libtiff. This library is widely used for reading and writing TIFF image files, which are common in high-quality image formats such as digital photography and desktop publishing. The vulnerability is due to multiple potential integer overflows in raw2tiff.c, a crucial component of the library. In this article, we will discuss the specifics of this vulnerability, how it can be exploited, and what preventive measures can be taken.

Vulnerability Details

The vulnerability, labeled as CVE-2023-41175, is a result of multiple integer overflow issues in raw2tiff.c, a converter tool that processes raw files into TIFF format. These integer overflows can potentially lead to a heap-based buffer overflow, which in turn can cause either a denial of service (DoS) situation or potentially even allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code on the victim's system. The apparent vulnerability is present in libtiff up to and including version 4.4..

Exploitation

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker needs to create a specially crafted TIFF image file that, when processed by libtiff, triggers the integer overflow issues in raw2tiff.c. Malicious actors can entice victims to download and open the TIFF image file or embed it in a website or document tracked by the victim, subsequently exploiting the vulnerability when the libtiff library processes this TIFF file on the victim's system.

Here is a code snippet demonstrating the integer overflow issue in raw2tiff.c

// Taken from libtiff, raw2tiff.c
uint32 rowsperstrip;
uint32 imagelength;
…

rowsperstrip = (uint32) -1;

if (rowsperstrip != )
        rowsperstrip = TIFFroundup(rowsperstrip, rowinc);
…
imagelength = rowinc*(h + (rowsperstrip - (h%rowsperstrip)) % rowsperstrip);

This problematic code contains an incorrect calculation when determining the imagelength for the TIFF image file. If the calculated value is too high, it will cause an integer overflow, which leads to a heap-based buffer overflow.

For more information about this vulnerability, consult the following original references

1. CVE-2023-41175 - NVD Detail
2. Libtiff Official Website
3. OSS security Advisory on CVE-2023-41175

Mitigation

As a preventive measure, it is essential to update the libtiff software package to the latest version, which has addressed this vulnerability. Consult the Libtiff Official Website for the latest updates and documentation on the library.

Furthermore, partnering with knowledgeable security professionals or teams will aid in early detection and response to potential security issues or vulnerabilities in open-source software and other third-party libraries.

Conclusion

CVE-2023-41175 is a severe vulnerability present in libtiff, which can lead to a DoS situation or even enable attackers to execute arbitrary code on the victim's system. To mitigate the issue, it is crucial to update libtiff to the latest version and follow best practices in secure programming and vulnerability management. This post aimed to provide insight into the specifics of this vulnerability and guidance for preventing potential exploitation.

Timeline

Published on: 10/05/2023 19:15:11 UTC
Last modified on: 11/07/2023 04:20:56 UTC