CVE-2021-20246 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

A flaw was found in ImageMagick in MagickCore/resample.c, allowing an attacker to trigger undefined behavior through math division by zero, potentially impacting system availability.

Understanding CVE-2021-20246

This CVE highlights a vulnerability in ImageMagick that could be exploited to cause a denial of service attack.

What is CVE-2021-20246?

CVE-2021-20246 is a vulnerability in ImageMagick that allows an attacker to execute arbitrary code through a crafted file, leading to math division by zero.

The Impact of CVE-2021-20246

The highest threat from this vulnerability is to system availability as it could result in a denial of service attack.

Technical Details of CVE-2021-20246

ImageMagick versions 6.9.11-62 and 7.0.10-62 are affected by this vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability lies in ImageMagick's processing of crafted files, triggering undefined behavior through math division by zero.

Affected Systems and Versions

Vendor: n/a
Affected Product: ImageMagick
Affected Versions: ImageMagick 6.9.11-62, ImageMagick 7.0.10-62

Exploitation Mechanism

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by submitting a crafted file for processing by ImageMagick, triggering math division by zero.

Mitigation and Prevention

It is crucial to take immediate steps to address this vulnerability and implement long-term security practices to prevent similar issues in the future.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update ImageMagick to the latest patched version as recommended by the vendor.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and follow secure coding practices to mitigate the risk of vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Stay informed about security updates and promptly apply patches to ensure the security of your systems.