CVE-2018-16749 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability was discovered in versions prior to ImageMagick 7.0.7-29 that allows an attacker to trigger a denial of service by exploiting a missing NULL check in the ReadOneJNGImage function.

Understanding CVE-2018-16749

This CVE involves a vulnerability in ImageMagick that could lead to a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2018-16749?

In ImageMagick versions prior to 7.0.7-29, a missing NULL check in the ReadOneJNGImage function in coders/png.c can be exploited by an attacker to cause a denial of service. This can result in a WriteBlob assertion failure and the application exiting.

The Impact of CVE-2018-16749

The vulnerability allows an attacker to exploit a missing NULL check in the ReadOneJNGImage function, potentially leading to a denial of service attack.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-16749

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in ImageMagick versions prior to 7.0.7-29 involves a missing NULL check in the ReadOneJNGImage function in coders/png.c, enabling an attacker to trigger a denial of service.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: ImageMagick
Vendor: N/A
Versions affected: Prior to 7.0.7-29

Exploitation Mechanism

By supplying a specially crafted file, an attacker can exploit the missing NULL check in the ReadOneJNGImage function to trigger a denial of service, resulting in a WriteBlob assertion failure and application exit.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2018-16749 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update ImageMagick to version 7.0.7-29 or later to mitigate the vulnerability.
Regularly monitor for security advisories and patches from ImageMagick.

Long-Term Security Practices

Implement secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities in the future.
Conduct regular security assessments and audits to identify and address potential weaknesses.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches and updates provided by ImageMagick promptly to address security vulnerabilities.