CVE-2023-1289:ImageMagick SVG Processing Vulnerability Leading to Denial of Service

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A vulnerability (CVE-2023-1289) in ImageMagick allows attackers to cause a denial of service by uploading specially crafted SVG files. When processing these malicious SVG files, ImageMagick enters a recursive loading loop that leads to a segmentation fault. During this crash, the application generates numerous large temporary files in the /tmp directory, potentially filling up disk space. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous as a small malicious SVG file (e.g., 100MB) can cause ImageMagick to generate files approximately 103 times larger (e.g., 10GB), quickly exhausting system resources.

Overview

This vulnerability (CWE-20: Improper Input Validation) affects ImageMagick's SVG processing functionality. The issue occurs when a specially crafted SVG file references itself, causing ImageMagick to enter a recursive loading pattern that eventually leads to a crash. During this process, ImageMagick creates numerous temporary files in the /tmp directory. The severity of this vulnerability lies in its amplification effect - a relatively small malicious file can cause the generation of files over 100 times larger, potentially filling disk space and causing system-wide issues. This vulnerability can be exploited remotely by simply uploading a malicious SVG file to any service that uses ImageMagick for image processing.

Remediation

  1. Update ImageMagick to the latest version that contains the patch for this vulnerability.
  2. If immediate updating is not possible, consider implementing input validation to reject SVG files that may contain self-references.
  3. Limit the size of uploaded SVG files to minimize potential impact.
  4. Configure disk quotas for the /tmp directory to prevent complete disk exhaustion.
  5. Monitor disk usage patterns for unusual spikes that may indicate exploitation attempts.
  6. Consider running ImageMagick in a containerized environment with resource limitations.
  7. Apply the specific patch referenced in the GitHub commit c5b23cbf2119540725e6dc81f4deb25798ead6a4 if you maintain a custom build.

References

  1. Red Hat Bugzilla: https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=2176858
  2. GitHub Patch: https://github.com/ImageMagick/ImageMagick/commit/c5b23cbf2119540725e6dc81f4deb25798ead6a4
  3. GitHub Security Advisory: https://github.com/ImageMagick/ImageMagick/security/advisories/GHSA-j96m-mjp6-99xr
  4. Debian Security Update: https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2024/02/msg00007.html
  5. CWE-20: Improper Input Validation: https://cwe.mitre.org/data/definitions/20.html

Industry ExposureMost to least
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.

  1. Manufacturing
    Manufacturing
  2. Health Care & Social Assistance
    Health Care & Social Assistance
  3. Public Administration
    Public Administration
  4. Finance and Insurance
    Finance and Insurance
  5. Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
    Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services
  6. Educational Services
    Educational Services
  7. Retail Trade
    Retail Trade
  8. Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
    Arts, Entertainment & Recreation
  9. Management of Companies & Enterprises
    Management of Companies & Enterprises
  10. Other Services (except Public Administration)
    Other Services (except Public Administration)
  11. Transportation & Warehousing
    Transportation & Warehousing
  12. Information
    Information
  13. Utilities
    Utilities
  14. Wholesale Trade
    Wholesale Trade
  15. Accommodation & Food Services
    Accommodation & Food Services
  16. Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
    Administrative, Support, Waste Management & Remediation Services
  17. Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
    Agriculture, Forestry Fishing & Hunting
  18. Construction
    Construction
  19. Mining
    Mining
  20. Real Estate Rental & Leasing
    Real Estate Rental & Leasing

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