CVE-2023-47995 is a vulnerability identified in FreeImage version 3.18.0, specifically within the BitmapAccess.cpp source file in the function FreeImage_AllocateBitmap. The issue stems from a memory allocation routine that accepts an excessively large size value, which can lead to improper handling of memory allocation requests. This flaw is categorized under CWE-120, indicating a classic buffer or memory-related error. When an attacker crafts a specially designed image file that triggers this excessive allocation, the FreeImage library attempts to allocate an unreasonably large block of memory. This can cause the application using the library to crash or hang, resulting in a denial of service (DoS) condition. The vulnerability has a CVSS v3.1 base score of 6.5, reflecting a medium severity level. The attack vector is network-based (AV:N), requires no privileges (PR:N), but does require user interaction (UI:R), such as opening or processing a malicious image file. The scope is unchanged (S:U), and the impact is solely on availability (A:H), with no confidentiality or integrity impact. No patches or fixes have been published at the time of this analysis, and no known exploits are reported in the wild. The vulnerability primarily threatens applications and services that utilize FreeImage 3.18.0 for image processing tasks, including image viewers, editors, or automated image handling systems.

For European organizations, the primary impact of CVE-2023-47995 is the potential for denial of service attacks that disrupt availability of applications relying on FreeImage 3.18.0. This could affect digital media companies, software developers, and any enterprise using image processing workflows integrated with this library. Service interruptions could lead to operational downtime, impacting productivity and potentially causing financial losses. While the vulnerability does not compromise data confidentiality or integrity, repeated or targeted DoS attacks could degrade user trust and service reliability. Organizations in sectors such as media production, publishing, and software development are particularly at risk. Additionally, public sector entities that provide image-related services or rely on affected software might face service degradation. Given the lack of known exploits, the immediate threat is moderate, but the risk increases if attackers develop reliable exploit techniques. The requirement for user interaction limits automated exploitation but does not eliminate risk, especially in environments where users frequently handle untrusted image files.

To mitigate CVE-2023-47995, European organizations should implement several specific measures beyond generic advice: 1) Identify and inventory all software and systems using FreeImage 3.18.0 to understand exposure. 2) Restrict or block untrusted image file inputs, especially from external or unknown sources, using network filtering or application-layer controls. 3) Implement strict validation and sanitization of image files before processing to detect anomalous or malformed files that could trigger excessive memory allocation. 4) Employ application-level monitoring to detect crashes or abnormal memory usage patterns indicative of exploitation attempts. 5) Consider sandboxing or isolating image processing components to limit the impact of potential DoS conditions. 6) Stay alert for vendor patches or updates addressing this vulnerability and apply them promptly once available. 7) Educate users about the risks of opening untrusted image files and encourage cautious handling. 8) Use intrusion detection or prevention systems tuned to detect suspicious image file activity. These targeted steps help reduce the attack surface and improve resilience against exploitation of this memory allocation flaw.