CVE-2020-10251 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

In ImageMagick 7.0.9, an out-of-bounds read vulnerability exists within the ReadHEICImageByID function in coders\heic.c. It can be triggered via an image with a width or height value that exceeds the actual size of the image.

Understanding CVE-2020-10251

This CVE identifies a specific vulnerability in ImageMagick 7.0.9 that can lead to out-of-bounds read access.

What is CVE-2020-10251?

The vulnerability in ImageMagick 7.0.9 allows for an out-of-bounds read exploit through the ReadHEICImageByID function in coders\heic.c. This can occur when an image's width or height value surpasses the image's actual size.

The Impact of CVE-2020-10251

The vulnerability can be exploited to read data beyond the boundaries of the intended memory, potentially leading to information disclosure or a denial of service.

Technical Details of CVE-2020-10251

This section delves into the technical aspects of the CVE.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability in ImageMagick 7.0.9 allows for an out-of-bounds read access within the ReadHEICImageByID function in coders\heic.c.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: ImageMagick 7.0.9
Vendor: N/A
Versions: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be triggered by using an image with a width or height value that exceeds the actual size of the image.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2020-10251 is crucial to maintaining security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Apply patches or updates provided by ImageMagick promptly.
Avoid opening image files from untrusted or unknown sources.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update ImageMagick and other software to the latest versions.
Implement proper input validation to prevent malformed images from being processed.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that ImageMagick is regularly updated with the latest security patches to mitigate the risk of exploitation.