CVE-2019-7396 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A memory leak vulnerability was discovered in the ReadSIXELImage function within the sixel.c file of ImageMagick versions prior to 7.0.8-25.

Understanding CVE-2019-7396

This CVE relates to a memory leak issue in ImageMagick versions before 7.0.8-25.

What is CVE-2019-7396?

In ImageMagick before version 7.0.8-25, a memory leak exists in the ReadSIXELImage function in coders/sixel.c.

The Impact of CVE-2019-7396

This vulnerability could allow an attacker to cause a denial of service (DoS) by consuming excessive memory resources.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-7396

This section provides more technical insights into the vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

A memory leak is present in the ReadSIXELImage function within the sixel.c file of ImageMagick versions prior to 7.0.8-25.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: ImageMagick
Vendor: N/A
Versions Affected: All versions prior to 7.0.8-25

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker to trigger a memory leak, leading to a DoS condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2019-7396 requires immediate actions and long-term security measures.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update ImageMagick to version 7.0.8-25 or later to mitigate the memory leak vulnerability.
Monitor system resources for any unusual memory consumption.

Long-Term Security Practices

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

Patching and Updates

Ensure that ImageMagick is regularly updated to the latest version to address known vulnerabilities and enhance system security.