CVE-2024-46274
📋 TL;DR
CVE-2024-46274 is a heap buffer overflow vulnerability in cute_png v1.05's cp_stored() 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. Attackers can exploit this by tricking users or systems into opening malicious 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) or limited memory corruption leading to unstable behavior.
If Mitigated
Application crash with no privilege escalation if proper sandboxing and memory protections are enabled.
🎯 Exploit Status
Proof-of-concept PNG files are publicly available in the GitHub repository, making exploitation straightforward for attackers with basic skills.
🛠️ 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 becomes available.
🔧 Temporary Workarounds
Input Validation and Sanitization
allImplement strict validation of PNG files before processing with cute_png library
Memory Protection Controls
allEnable ASLR, DEP, and other memory protection mechanisms to reduce exploit impact
# Linux: Check ASLR status with 'cat /proc/sys/kernel/randomize_va_space'
# Windows: Ensure DEP is enabled in system properties
🧯 If You Can't Patch
- Isolate applications using cute_png in sandboxed environments with minimal privileges
- Implement network segmentation to limit access to vulnerable systems and monitor for anomalous PNG processing
🔍 How to Verify
Check if Vulnerable:
Search source code for '#include "cute_png.h"' and check if version 1.05 is referenced in comments or documentationCheck Version:
# Check source files for version references: grep -r "cute_png.*1\.05" /path/to/source/Verify Fix Applied:
Test with proof-of-concept PNG files from GitHub repository - vulnerable versions will crash or exhibit abnormal behavior📡 Detection & Monitoring
Log Indicators:
- Application crashes with memory access violations
- Unexpected termination of PNG processing applications
- High memory usage spikes during PNG file processing
Network Indicators:
- Unusual PNG file uploads to web applications
- PNG files with abnormal structure or sizes
SIEM Query:
source="application.log" AND ("segmentation fault" OR "access violation" OR "heap corruption") AND process="*png*"🔗 References
- https://github.com/Helson-S/FuzzyTesting/blob/master/cute_headers/cute_png/heapof-r65280-cp_stored-cute_png-543c2
- https://github.com/Helson-S/FuzzyTesting/blob/master/cute_headers/cute_png/heapof-r65280-cp_stored-cute_png-543c2/poc
- https://github.com/Helson-S/FuzzyTesting/blob/master/cute_headers/cute_png/heapof-r65280-cp_stored-cute_png-543c2/poc/sample10.png
- https://github.com/Helson-S/FuzzyTesting/blob/master/cute_headers/cute_png/heapof-r65280-cp_stored-cute_png-543c2/vulDescription.assets/image-20240527233813133.png
- https://github.com/Helson-S/FuzzyTesting/blob/master/cute_headers/cute_png/heapof-r65280-cp_stored-cute_png-543c2/vulDescription.md
