CVE-2019-16711 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

ImageMagick version 7.0.8-40 has a memory leak issue in the function Huffman2DEncodeImage located in the coders/ps2.c file.

Understanding CVE-2019-16711

This CVE involves a memory leak vulnerability in ImageMagick version 7.0.8-40.

What is CVE-2019-16711?

The vulnerability exists in the Huffman2DEncodeImage function within the coders/ps2.c file of ImageMagick version 7.0.8-40.

The Impact of CVE-2019-16711

Attackers could exploit this vulnerability to cause a denial of service (DoS) by consuming excessive memory resources.
This could potentially lead to system instability and performance issues.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-16711

This section provides more in-depth technical information about the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The memory leak issue in ImageMagick version 7.0.8-40 occurs specifically in the Huffman2DEncodeImage function within the coders/ps2.c file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected Version: 7.0.8-40 of ImageMagick

Exploitation Mechanism

Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious image file that triggers the flawed Huffman2DEncodeImage function, leading to memory leaks.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-16711 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update ImageMagick to a patched version that addresses the memory leak vulnerability.
Monitor system resources for any signs of abnormal memory consumption.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and apply security patches to prevent known vulnerabilities.
Implement network and host-based intrusion detection systems to detect and mitigate potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

ImageMagick users should apply the latest patches provided by the vendor to fix the memory leak issue and enhance system security.