CVE-2023-47994 is a high-severity integer overflow vulnerability identified in the LoadPixelDataRLE4 function within the PluginBMP.cpp source file of FreeImage version 3.18.0. FreeImage is an open-source library widely used for loading, saving, and manipulating images in various formats, including BMP. The vulnerability arises due to improper handling of integer values during the processing of RLE4-compressed BMP pixel data, specifically in the LoadPixelDataRLE4 function. An attacker can craft a malicious BMP image file that triggers an integer overflow when parsed by this function. This overflow can lead to memory corruption, enabling an attacker to potentially execute arbitrary code, cause a denial of service (application crash), or leak sensitive information from memory. The vulnerability is exploitable remotely without requiring privileges (AV:N/PR:N) but does require user interaction (UI:R), such as opening or processing a malicious image file. The CVSS v3.1 base score of 8.8 reflects the critical impact on confidentiality, integrity, and availability, combined with the ease of exploitation and lack of required privileges. No official patch or vendor project information is currently available, and no known exploits have been reported in the wild as of the publication date. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-190 (Integer Overflow or Wraparound), a common weakness that can lead to serious security issues if not properly mitigated.

For European organizations, the impact of CVE-2023-47994 can be significant, especially for those relying on FreeImage 3.18.0 in their software products or internal tools that process BMP images. Exploitation could lead to unauthorized code execution, allowing attackers to gain control over affected systems, exfiltrate sensitive data, or disrupt services through denial of service attacks. Sectors such as media companies, graphic design firms, software developers, and any organization using image processing pipelines could be at risk. Given the high CVSS score and the potential for remote exploitation with minimal prerequisites, this vulnerability could be leveraged in targeted attacks or widespread campaigns if weaponized. The absence of patches increases the risk window, making timely mitigation critical. Additionally, the requirement for user interaction means phishing or social engineering could be used to trick users into opening malicious images, increasing the attack surface. The vulnerability could also affect supply chains if third-party software components incorporate the vulnerable FreeImage library, amplifying the potential impact across multiple organizations.

To mitigate CVE-2023-47994 effectively, European organizations should: 1) Identify and inventory all software and systems using FreeImage 3.18.0 or related versions, including third-party applications and internal tools. 2) Implement strict input validation and sandboxing for any image processing components to limit the impact of malformed files. 3) Employ network and endpoint security controls to detect and block suspicious image files, including advanced malware detection solutions capable of analyzing image content. 4) Educate users about the risks of opening unsolicited or unexpected image files, especially from untrusted sources, to reduce the likelihood of successful social engineering attacks. 5) Monitor security advisories closely for patches or updates from FreeImage maintainers or third-party vendors and apply them promptly once available. 6) Consider temporary workarounds such as disabling BMP image processing features or restricting the use of RLE4-compressed BMP files until a fix is released. 7) Use application whitelisting and privilege restrictions to limit the ability of exploited processes to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges.