CVE-2019-12213 : Security Advisory and Response

FreeImage 3.18.0 is susceptible to a stack exhaustion vulnerability when processing a specific TIFF file. The issue arises from the TIFFReadDirectory function in PluginTIFF.cpp always returning 1 in this scenario.

Understanding CVE-2019-12213

This CVE entry highlights a vulnerability in FreeImage 3.18.0 that can lead to stack exhaustion.

What is CVE-2019-12213?

When FreeImage 3.18.0 encounters a particular TIFF file, the TIFFReadDirectory function within PluginTIFF.cpp consistently returns 1, causing stack exhaustion.

The Impact of CVE-2019-12213

The vulnerability can be exploited to exhaust the stack, potentially leading to a denial of service condition or arbitrary code execution.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-12213

FreeImage 3.18.0 is affected by a stack exhaustion vulnerability triggered by processing a specific TIFF file.

Vulnerability Description

The issue originates from the TIFFReadDirectory function in PluginTIFF.cpp always returning 1 when handling the mentioned TIFF file, resulting in stack exhaustion.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: FreeImage 3.18.0
Vendor: N/A
Version: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can craft a malicious TIFF file to exploit the vulnerability, potentially causing stack exhaustion.

Mitigation and Prevention

To address CVE-2019-12213, follow these mitigation strategies:

Immediate Steps to Take

Avoid opening untrusted TIFF files with FreeImage 3.18.0.
Implement file type validation mechanisms to prevent the processing of malicious files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update FreeImage to the latest version to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and audits to identify and remediate potential vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply the latest security updates and patches provided by FreeImage to mitigate the CVE-2019-12213 vulnerability.