ImageMagick, the popular open-source software suite for displaying, converting, and editing images, is affected by a critical vulnerability in version 7.1.-49. This vulnerability, identified as CVE-2022-44268, can lead to Information Disclosure, where an attacker can potentially access sensitive data embedded in an arbitrary file.

Root Cause of the Vulnerability

CVE-2022-44268 is caused by a flaw in ImageMagick's handling of Portable Network Graphics (PNG) images when conducting operations like resizing. This flaw allows the resulting image created by ImageMagick to carry the content of an arbitrary file if the "magick" binary has the necessary permissions to read it.

Exploit Details

An attacker can exploit this vulnerability by crafting a malicious PNG image and embedding the content of a sensitive file in the processed image. When the victim opens that image in ImageMagick or performs an operation like resizing, the software will read the arbitrary file and its contents will be embedded in the output image.

This could leak important data like encryption keys, local source code, or sensitive user information. The attacker can then access, view, or even manipulate the content extracted within the resulting image.

For example, a malicious PNG image could be input into the following code snippet

$ magick input.png -resize 300x300 output.png

If the input image contains an embedded file, the output image would also have the content of that file.

Update to the latest version of ImageMagick - this may include fixes for the vulnerability.

2. If you cannot update immediately, limit or restrict access to the affected version of the "magick" binary by adjusting file permissions to minimize potential information disclosure.
3. Regularly check ImageMagick's GitHub repository and official announcements for updates related to this vulnerability and other security issues
4. Stay vigilant and take necessary precautions when interacting with unknown images, as they might contain malicious files.

More information about this vulnerability can be found in the following resources

1. CVE Details: https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2022-44268
2. ImageMagick GitHub Repository: https://github.com/ImageMagick/ImageMagick
3. ImageMagick Official Announcements: https://imagemagick.org/script/news.php

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Information Disclosure vulnerability, CVE-2022-44268, affecting ImageMagick 7.1.-49 can have significant consequences for users. By understanding the root cause and how it can be exploited, you can take proactive measures to protect your system. Above all, ensure to always use the latest version of ImageMagick and have up-to-date security practices in place. Stay informed, stay updated, and stay secure.

Timeline

Published on: 02/06/2023 21:15:00 UTC
Last modified on: 04/06/2023 17:15:00 UTC