CVE-2024-46261
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2024-46261 is a heap buffer overflow vulnerability in cute_png v1.05's cp_make32() function that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service by processing specially crafted PNG files. This affects any application or system using the vulnerable cute_png library for PNG image processing. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely if the application processes untrusted PNG files.
💻 Affected Systems
- cute_png library
- Applications embedding cute_png v1.05
📦 What is this software?
Cute Png by Randygaul
⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact
Worst Case
Remote code execution leading to complete system compromise, data theft, or ransomware deployment.
Likely Case
Application crash (denial of service) with potential for limited code execution depending on memory layout and exploit sophistication.
If Mitigated
Application crash without code execution if memory protections (ASLR, DEP) are effective.
🎯 Exploit Status
Proof-of-concept exploit code and sample malicious PNG files are publicly available in the GitHub repository. Exploitation requires the application to process a malicious PNG file.
🛠️ Fix & Mitigation
✅ Official Fix
Patch Version: Not available
Vendor Advisory: No official vendor advisory found
Restart Required: No
Instructions:
1. Check if your application uses cute_png v1.05. 2. Monitor cute_png GitHub repository for updates. 3. Consider switching to alternative PNG libraries if no patch is forthcoming.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input validation and sanitization
allImplement strict validation of PNG files before processing with cute_png library
Memory protection hardening
allEnable ASLR, DEP, and other memory protection mechanisms at OS and application level
# Linux: sysctl -w kernel.randomize_va_space=2
# Windows: Enable Data Execution Prevention (DEP) via System Properties
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Implement network segmentation to isolate systems using cute_png from untrusted networks
- Deploy application allowlisting to prevent execution of unauthorized code resulting from exploitation
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Check if cute_png.h header file contains version 1.05 and cp_make32() function. Review application source code for cute_png inclusion.Check Version:
grep -r "cute_png" /path/to/source/ | grep -i versionVerify Fix Applied:
Verify cute_png is updated to a patched version when available, or removed/replaced with alternative library.📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes with segmentation faults or access violations
- Unexpected process termination when processing PNG files
- Memory corruption errors in application logs
Network Indicators:
- Unusual PNG file uploads to web applications
- PNG files with abnormal structure or sizes
SIEM Query:
source="application.log" ("segmentation fault" OR "access violation" OR "heap corruption") AND "png"🔗 References
- https://github.com/Helson-S/FuzzyTesting/blob/master/cute_headers/cute_png/heapof-r1-cp_make32-cute_png-948c10
- https://github.com/Helson-S/FuzzyTesting/blob/master/cute_headers/cute_png/heapof-r1-cp_make32-cute_png-948c10/poc
- https://github.com/Helson-S/FuzzyTesting/blob/master/cute_headers/cute_png/heapof-r1-cp_make32-cute_png-948c10/poc/sample4.png
- https://github.com/Helson-S/FuzzyTesting/blob/master/cute_headers/cute_png/heapof-r1-cp_make32-cute_png-948c10/vulDescription.assets/image-20240527232015967.png
- https://github.com/Helson-S/FuzzyTesting/blob/master/cute_headers/cute_png/heapof-r1-cp_make32-cute_png-948c10/vulDescription.md
