CVE-2017-12140 : What You Need to Know

An integer signedness error in the ReadDCMImage function of the coders\dcm.c file in ImageMagick 7.0.6-1 can lead to excessive memory consumption when processing a specially crafted DCM file.

Understanding CVE-2017-12140

This CVE entry highlights a vulnerability in ImageMagick that could be exploited to cause memory consumption issues.

What is CVE-2017-12140?

The vulnerability involves an integer signedness error in the ReadDCMImage function of ImageMagick, potentially resulting in a significant increase in memory usage when handling a manipulated DCM file.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12140

The vulnerability could be exploited by an attacker to consume excessive memory resources on a system, potentially leading to denial of service or other system instability.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12140

This section provides more in-depth technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The ReadDCMImage function in coders\dcm.c in ImageMagick 7.0.6-1 contains an integer signedness error that can trigger a substantial rise in memory consumption through a specifically crafted DCM file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: ImageMagick
Version: 7.0.6-1

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by manipulating a DCM file to trigger the integer signedness error, causing the application to consume excessive memory.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-12140 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply security updates provided by ImageMagick promptly.
Avoid opening DCM files from untrusted or unknown sources.
Monitor system memory consumption for any unusual spikes.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to address known vulnerabilities.
Implement network and system monitoring to detect abnormal behavior.
Educate users on safe file handling practices to prevent exploitation.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that the latest security patches and updates for ImageMagick are installed to mitigate the risk of exploitation.