Critical Divide-by-Zero Vulnerability in libexif Package
Summary
ALPINE-CVE-2020-12767: exif_entry_get_value in exif-entry.c in libexif 0.6.21 has a divide-by-zero error. Affects libexif versions < 0.6.22-r0. Fixed in 0.6.22-r0. How to fix ↓
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Background
libexif is a library used for reading and writing EXIF (Exchangeable Image File Format) metadata in image files. It is widely utilized in various applications that handle image processing and manipulation. The library provides functionalities to extract and modify metadata, making it essential for applications that require image metadata management. However, a vulnerability has been identified in libexif that could lead to severe consequences if exploited.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability, identified as CVE-2020-12767, is a divide-by-zero error in the function exif_entry_get_value located in exif-entry.c of libexif version 0.6.21. This flaw can be exploited by attackers to cause a denial of service (DoS) by crashing the application that utilizes this library. The divide-by-zero error occurs when the code attempts to perform a division operation with a zero denominator, leading to unexpected behavior and potential application crashes. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of the libexif package across various Alpine Linux distributions.
How To Fix
Minimum fixed version
0.6.22-r0
This is the first release that contains the fix.
sudo apk add --upgrade libexifTip — Not sure which version your app runs? Vulert can match this fix to it. Scan free →
Workaround
If updating the package is not immediately feasible, consider implementing input validation to prevent the application from processing malformed EXIF data that could trigger the divide-by-zero error. Additionally, restricting access to the application or disabling features that utilize libexif may help mitigate the risk temporarily.
Conclusion
The divide-by-zero vulnerability in the libexif package poses a significant risk to applications that rely on this library for image metadata management. It is crucial to update to the patched version 0.6.22-r0 to mitigate the risk of exploitation. Additionally, utilizing tools like Vulert can help monitor and manage vulnerabilities effectively.
See every vulnerability recorded for libexif →
FAQ
CVE-2020-12767 is a vulnerability in the libexif library that causes a divide-by-zero error, potentially leading to application crashes.
You can use the Vulert playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
Exploiting this vulnerability can lead to a denial of service (DoS), causing the application to crash and become unavailable.
Yes, the patched version of libexif is 0.6.22-r0. Updating to this version will fix the vulnerability.
Vulert monitors and alerts for open-source vulnerabilities in software using a manifest file like package-lock.json, providing real-time insights into potential risks.
References
Related vulnerabilities
Recent vulnerabilities recorded for libexif.
