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CVE Record

CVE-2017-18120: A double-free bug in the read_gif function in gifread.c in gifsicle 1.90 allows a remote attacker to cause...

A double-free bug in the read_gif function in gifread.c in gifsicle 1.90 allows a remote attacker to cause a denial-of-service attack or unspecified other impact via a maliciously crafted file, because last_name is mishandled, a different vulnerability than CVE-2017-1000421.

UnknownCVSS not scoredNot KEV-listedUpdated
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Glexia's TakeAutomated analysismoderate

Security readout for executives and security teams

Plain-English summary

CVE-2017-18120 is a memory handling flaw in gifsicle 1.90. A malicious GIF file can crash processing and may have unspecified other impact. Business urgency is highest where gifsicle processes external uploads, email attachments, or other untrusted GIF files.

Executive priority

Treat this as a targeted operational risk, not an enterprise-wide emergency. Patch exposed image-processing systems first, especially customer-facing upload paths, because the known impact includes service disruption.

Technical view

The issue is a double-free in read_gif in gifread.c caused by mishandling of last_name. Sources describe denial of service and unspecified other impact through a crafted file. It is distinct from CVE-2017-1000421, and an upstream commit is referenced.

Likely exposure

Exposure is likely limited to systems running gifsicle 1.90, especially automated image optimization or conversion workflows that process untrusted GIF input.

Exploitation context

The source bundle does not show CISA KEV listing or active exploitation. The attack condition is file-based: an attacker must get a crafted GIF processed by vulnerable gifsicle.

Researcher notes

Evidence identifies the function, affected version, bug class, and upstream commit, but public severity scoring and complete product metadata are absent in the bundle. Avoid assuming code execution without stronger source evidence.

Mitigation direction

  • Inventory systems and services that invoke gifsicle for GIF processing.
  • Prioritize hosts that process user-supplied or externally received GIF files.
  • Apply vendor updates that incorporate the referenced upstream fix.
  • If no vendor package is available, follow upstream or distribution guidance.
  • Temporarily restrict untrusted GIF processing where updates cannot be applied.
  • Run image processing with least privilege and isolation controls.

Validation and detection

  • Confirm whether gifsicle 1.90 is installed in production or build images.
  • Review package changelogs for CVE-2017-18120 or commit 118a460.
  • Map upload, email, and media pipelines that pass GIFs to gifsicle.
  • Verify updated hosts no longer carry the vulnerable package version.
  • Check monitoring for crashes in GIF conversion or optimization workflows.
Prepared
Confidence
medium
Sources
6

Public sources used

Generated from the cited source records. This long-tail analysis has not been individually reviewed by a named human.

Potential ATT&CK relevance

Conservative CVE-to-ATT&CK context

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Vulnerability profileCVE Program record
Severity
Unknown
CVSS
Not scored
Known Exploited
No
Published
Official CVE source material

CNA and ADP enrichment extracted from CVE v5

These fields come from the CVE record and ADP containers, not from Glexia's Take. They preserve time-varying source decisions such as CISA SSVC, KEV status, CVSS metrics, and provider references.

0CVSS vectors
0Timeline events
0ADP providers
5Source links

CVSS and timeline data

No CVSS vectors or timeline events were available in the normalized CVE source material.

Source materials

Affected products

Products and packages named in the record

VendorProductVersion / packageStatus
n/an/an/aListed
Weakness

CWE details

No CWE listed

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