CVE-2018-7648 : Security Advisory and Response

OpenJPEG 2.3.0 contained a flaw that could lead to a buffer overflow due to insufficient length verification in the file opj_mj2_extract.c.

Understanding CVE-2018-7648

What is CVE-2018-7648?

This CVE refers to a vulnerability in OpenJPEG 2.3.0 that could be exploited to trigger a buffer overflow by providing a prefix longer than 50 characters as an output prefix.

The Impact of CVE-2018-7648

The lack of length verification for the prefix on the command line could allow an attacker to execute arbitrary code or crash the application.

Technical Details of CVE-2018-7648

Vulnerability Description

The flaw in opj_mj2_extract.c allowed for a buffer overflow when a prefix longer than 50 characters was used, as the output prefix was not properly checked for length.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: Not applicable
Vendor: Not applicable
Version: OpenJPEG 2.3.0

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability could be exploited by providing a prefix with 50 or more characters on the command line, leading to a buffer overflow.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Update OpenJPEG to a patched version that addresses the buffer overflow issue.
Avoid using excessively long prefixes as output parameters.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to the latest secure versions.
Implement input validation mechanisms to prevent buffer overflows.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches provided by OpenJPEG to fix the buffer overflow vulnerability.