# CVE-2018-17201: Improper Input Validation in Apache Sanselan

> Attackers can cause a denial of service by providing specially crafted input files to the Apache Commons Imaging library.

- **Severity:** High 7.5 (`CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H`)
- **Exploited in the wild:** Not known
- **Login needed:** Not needed
- **Attackable:** Over the internet
- **Victim action needed:** Not needed
- **Fix available:** No
- **Published:** 6 May 2019
- **Updated:** 5 Aug 2024
- **Also known as:** GHSA-rjx9-2936-9ffx

## What is CVE-2018-17201?

CVE-2018-17201 is a high-severity denial of service vulnerability in Apache Commons Imaging, published on 6 May 2019. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.

### Official description

Certain input files could make the code hang when Apache Sanselan 0.97-incubator was used to parse them, which could be used in a DoS attack. Note that Apache Sanselan (incubating) was renamed to Apache Commons Imaging.

## Which versions are affected by CVE-2018-17201?

2 open source packages ship an affected version, including org.apache.sanselan:sanselan. It affects 1 product.


| Package | Ecosystem | Affected | Fixed in |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| `org.apache.sanselan:sanselan` | Maven | All versions to 0.97-incubator | None |
| `org.apache.sanselan:sanselan` | Maven | All versions to 0.97-incubator | None |

Products: Apache Commons Imaging.

## How do I fix CVE-2018-17201?

No fix has been published for CVE-2018-17201 yet. Limit exposure of the affected software until one is available.

## Is CVE-2018-17201 being exploited?

There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-17201 in the wild and no public exploit code.

## Other vulnerabilities in Apache Commons Imaging

- [CVE-2018-17202](https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-17202/): Infinite Loop in Apache Sanselan (high 7.5)

## Fix prompt for AI coding agents

```text
Check this codebase for CVE-2018-17201 and fix it if it is affected.

What it is: CVE-2018-17201 is a high-severity denial of service vulnerability in Apache Commons Imaging, published on 6 May 2019. An attacker can exploit it over the internet without logging in, with no action from the victim.
Exploitation: There is no known exploitation of CVE-2018-17201 in the wild and no public exploit code.

Affected packages and fixed versions:
- org.apache.sanselan:sanselan (Maven): affected all versions up to 0.97-incubator; no fix listed
- org.apache.sanselan:sanselan (Maven): affected all versions up to 0.97-incubator; no fix listed

Task:
1. Search the dependency manifests and lockfiles (for example package.json, package-lock.json, requirements.txt, poetry.lock, uv.lock, pom.xml, build.gradle, go.mod, Cargo.lock, Gemfile.lock) and any Dockerfiles for the affected packages, including transitive dependencies.
2. If an affected version is in use, upgrade it to the fixed version for its release line with the project's package manager, so the lockfile is regenerated. Prefer the smallest upgrade that fixes it.
3. If there is no fix, or the upgrade would break the build, do not guess: explain the risk and the safest workaround instead.
4. Run the tests and summarise what changed and why.
5. If nothing in the project is affected, say so and change nothing.

Reference: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-17201/ (Markdown: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-17201/index.md)
```

## Sources

- CVE record: https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2018-17201
- NVD: https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2018-17201
- OSV: https://osv.dev/vulnerability/CVE-2018-17201

---
From sbomify Insights: https://insights.sbomify.com/CVE-2018-17201/
Summaries are generated and may contain mistakes; the official description above is the record.