CVE-2017-12566 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A memory leak vulnerability in ImageMagick version 7.0.6-2 can lead to a denial of service attack by exploiting specific functions.

Understanding CVE-2017-12566

This CVE involves a memory leak vulnerability in ImageMagick version 7.0.6-2 that can be exploited to cause a denial of service.

What is CVE-2017-12566?

A memory leak vulnerability was discovered in the function ReadMVGImage in ImageMagick, allowing attackers to trigger a denial of service by utilizing the ReadSVGImage function.

The Impact of CVE-2017-12566

This vulnerability could be exploited by attackers to cause a denial of service on systems running the affected ImageMagick version.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-12566

ImageMagick version 7.0.6-2 is susceptible to a memory leak vulnerability that can be exploited for a denial of service attack.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability exists in the ReadMVGImage function in coders/mvg.c, enabling attackers to exploit the ReadSVGImage function in svg.c.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: 7.0.6-2
Systems: ImageMagick installations running version 7.0.6-2

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit the memory leak vulnerability in the ReadMVGImage function to trigger a denial of service by leveraging the ReadSVGImage function.

Mitigation and Prevention

Taking immediate steps and implementing long-term security practices are crucial to mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2017-12566.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update ImageMagick to a non-vulnerable version if available.
Implement network security measures to prevent unauthorized access.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches.
Conduct security audits and vulnerability assessments periodically.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by ImageMagick promptly to address the memory leak vulnerability and prevent exploitation.