CVE-2020-24870
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2020-24870 is a stack buffer overflow vulnerability in LibRaw's DNG file processing that allows remote code execution. Attackers can exploit this by tricking users into opening malicious DNG image files. This affects any application or system using vulnerable versions of LibRaw for image processing.
💻 Affected Systems
- LibRaw
- Applications using LibRaw library (e.g., image editors, viewers, converters)
📦 What is this software?
Libraw by Libraw
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution with the privileges of the application using LibRaw, potentially leading to full system compromise.
Likely Case
Application crash (denial of service) or limited code execution within the application context.
If Mitigated
No impact if patched version is used or if DNG file processing is disabled.
🎯 Exploit Status
Proof of concept exists in GitHub issues. Exploitation requires user to open a malicious DNG file, but no authentication is needed for the file processing itself.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: LibRaw 0.20.1 and later
Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/LibRaw/LibRaw/commit/4feaed4dea636cee4fee010f615881ccf76a096d
Restart Required: Yes
Instructions:
1. Update LibRaw to version 0.20.1 or later. 2. For Linux distributions: Use package manager (apt-get update && apt-get upgrade libraw, yum update libraw, etc.). 3. For Windows/macOS: Download updated version from LibRaw website. 4. Rebuild any applications that statically link LibRaw. 5. Restart affected applications/services.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Disable DNG file processing
allConfigure applications to reject or not process DNG files if possible
Application-specific configuration required
Input validation for DNG files
allImplement strict validation/sanitization of DNG files before processing
Implement file validation in application code
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network segmentation to isolate systems using vulnerable LibRaw versions
- Use application allowlisting to prevent execution of unauthorized applications that might process DNG files
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check LibRaw version: libraw-config --version or check application dependencies. If version is < 0.20.1, system is vulnerable.Check Version:
libraw-config --version # or dpkg -l | grep libraw, rpm -qa | grep libraw, or check application dependency manifestsVerify Fix Applied:
Verify LibRaw version is >= 0.20.1. Test with known safe DNG files to ensure processing works correctly.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes when processing DNG files
- Memory access violation errors in application logs
- Unexpected process termination of applications using LibRaw
Network Indicators:
- Unusual outbound connections from applications that process images after DNG file handling
SIEM Query:
Process: (libraw OR application_name) AND Event: (AccessViolation OR SegmentationFault) AND FileExtension: dng🔗 References
- https://github.com/LibRaw/LibRaw/commit/4feaed4dea636cee4fee010f615881ccf76a096d
- https://github.com/LibRaw/LibRaw/issues/330
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-07
- https://github.com/LibRaw/LibRaw/commit/4feaed4dea636cee4fee010f615881ccf76a096d
- https://github.com/LibRaw/LibRaw/issues/330
- https://security.gentoo.org/glsa/202208-07
