Description Preview
This CVE concerns a buffer overflow in Exiv2 0.24 caused by improper handling of the IKEY INFO tag within AVI file metadata. When an attacker supplies a crafted AVI containing an excessively long IKEY INFO tag value, the RiffVideo::infoTagsHandler routine can overflow a buffer, leading to a denial of service (crash) of the software that uses Exiv2 to parse image metadata. The vulnerability is triggered remotely by processing a manipulated AVI file and affects Exiv2 version 0.24, with multiple security advisories (across Ubuntu, Fedora, Gentoo, Secunia, and others) coordinating a remediation through updated releases and patches.
Overview
Exiv2 0.24 contains a buffer overflow in the RiffVideo::infoTagsHandler function when parsing AVI metadata, which can be exploited by a crafted AVI file containing a very long IKEY INFO tag value. This allows a remote attacker to cause a denial of service by crashing the application that processes the image metadata. The issue has been acknowledged by multiple vendors and security advisories, highlighting the need to upgrade to patched releases.
Remediation
- Upgrade Exiv2 to a patched release (0.25 or newer) as recommended by vendor advisories (e.g., Ubuntu USN-2454-1, Fedora 2015-0301, Gentoo GLSA 201507-03) to include the fix for this vulnerability.
- If upgrading is not immediately possible, apply the official patch referenced by Exiv2 issue discussions (for example, review and apply the diff mentioned in the repository (rev 3264 to 3263) or equivalent patch) to address the IKEY INFO tag handling.
- Rebuild affected applications against the patched Exiv2 library and redeploy.
- Validate the fix by testing with a crafted AVI file containing a long IKEY INFO tag to ensure the crash no longer occurs.
- Consider additional hardening: implement input length checks for IKEY INFO tags and enable memory-safety practices when parsing AVI metadata to prevent similar overflows in the future.
References
- USN-2454-1 — Ubuntu advisory
- FEDORA-2015-0301 — Fedora advisory
- Exiv2 issue 960 — Exiv2 issue discussion
- 61801 — Secunia advisory
- GLSA-201507-03 — Gentoo advisory
- BID 71912 — SecurityFocus BID
- Exiv2 repository patch diff (rev 3264 to 3263) — patch reference
Industry ExposureMost to leastThis section illustrates the prevalence of a specific Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) across various industries based on customer reports. The ranking displays industries from the most to least affected by this particular vulnerability, offering valuable insight into where this CVE has been most frequently observed. This information can help organizations within these sectors prioritize their security efforts, understand their relative risk exposure compared to their peers, and focus remediation strategies where they are most needed. By understanding the industry-specific impact, organizations can make more informed decisions regarding patching, resource allocation, and overall risk management related to this CVE.
This section illustrates the prevalence of a specific Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures (CVE) across various industries based on customer reports. The ranking displays industries from the most to least affected by this particular vulnerability, offering valuable insight into where this CVE has been most frequently observed. This information can help organizations within these sectors prioritize their security efforts, understand their relative risk exposure compared to their peers, and focus remediation strategies where they are most needed. By understanding the industry-specific impact, organizations can make more informed decisions regarding patching, resource allocation, and overall risk management related to this CVE.
- ManufacturingManufacturing: Low
- Health Care & Social AssistanceHealth Care & Social Assistance: Low
- Arts, Entertainment & RecreationArts, Entertainment & Recreation: Low
- Management of Companies & EnterprisesManagement of Companies & Enterprises: Low
- Public AdministrationPublic Administration: Low
- Retail TradeRetail Trade: Low
- Transportation & WarehousingTransportation & Warehousing: Low
- Accommodation & Food ServicesAccommodation & Food Services: Low
- Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation ServicesAdministrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services: Low
- Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & HuntingAgriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting: Low
- ConstructionConstruction: Low
- Educational ServicesEducational Services: Low
- Finance and InsuranceFinance and Insurance: Low
- InformationInformation: Low
- MiningMining: Low
- Other Services (except Public Administration)Other Services (except Public Administration): Low
- Professional, Scientific, & Technical ServicesProfessional, Scientific, & Technical Services: Low
- Real Estate Rental & LeasingReal Estate Rental & Leasing: Low
- UtilitiesUtilities: Low
- Wholesale TradeWholesale Trade: Low
