CVE-2004-2779 in libid3tag
Summary
by MITRE
id3_utf16_deserialize() in utf16.c in libid3tag through 0.15.1b misparses ID3v2 tags encoded in UTF-16 with an odd number of bytes, triggering an endless loop allocating memory until an OOM condition is reached, leading to denial-of-service (DoS).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2779 resides within the libid3tag library version 0.15.1b and earlier, specifically affecting the id3_utf16_deserialize() function located in the utf16.c source file. This flaw represents a classic buffer handling error that manifests when processing ID3v2 metadata tags encoded in UTF-16 format. The issue occurs when the library encounters UTF-16 encoded tags containing an odd number of bytes, which violates the fundamental assumption that UTF-16 encoding requires even byte boundaries for proper character representation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper boundary checking within the deserialization routine. When the id3_utf16_deserialize() function processes UTF-16 data with an odd byte count, it fails to correctly calculate the expected number of characters to parse, leading to a miscalculation in memory allocation requests. This miscalculation creates a condition where the function continuously allocates memory in a loop without proper termination conditions, ultimately exhausting available system resources. The flaw operates under CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and more specifically aligns with CWE-772, concerning missing resource deallocation, as the memory allocation continues without proper cleanup or exit conditions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability, as it creates a reliable denial-of-service condition that can be exploited by malicious actors. An attacker requiring only the ability to provide specially crafted audio files containing malformed ID3v2 tags can trigger this vulnerability, making it particularly dangerous in environments where automated media processing occurs. The endless memory allocation loop consumes system resources rapidly, potentially affecting not just the specific application but also the overall system performance, as the operating system may struggle to manage the resource exhaustion. This vulnerability particularly affects multimedia applications, media servers, and any system processing audio files that utilize the libid3tag library for metadata extraction.
The exploitation of CVE-2004-2779 aligns with several tactics described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically relating to privilege escalation through resource exhaustion and service disruption. The vulnerability can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service, and represents a classic example of a resource exhaustion attack that leverages software implementation flaws. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the libid3tag library to version 0.15.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to properly handle UTF-16 byte boundary conditions. Additionally, input validation should be implemented at the application level to verify the integrity of ID3v2 tags before processing, and memory allocation limits should be enforced to prevent uncontrolled resource consumption during parsing operations. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions to detect unusual memory allocation patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments should verify that all media processing components are updated to prevent similar vulnerabilities from persisting in the environment.