CVE-2007-4065 in libvorbis
Summary
by MITRE
lib/vorbisfile.c in libvorbisfile in Xiph.Org libvorbis before 1.2.0 allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) via a crafted OGG file, aka trac Changeset 13217.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/29/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-4065 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the libvorbisfile library component of the Xiph.Org libvorbis software suite. This issue specifically affects versions prior to 1.2.0 and manifests through improper handling of crafted OGG multimedia files during the decoding process. The vulnerability occurs in the lib/vorbisfile.c source file where the library fails to properly validate input data structures, leading to predictable infinite loop conditions when processing malformed audio content.
The technical flaw stems from insufficient input validation mechanisms within the vorbisfile parsing routines that handle OGG container format specifications. When an attacker crafts a specially designed OGG file containing malformed headers or metadata structures, the libvorbisfile library enters an infinite loop during the parsing phase. This occurs because the library's state machine responsible for tracking audio packet boundaries and stream synchronization lacks proper bounds checking and loop termination conditions. The vulnerability is context-dependent as it requires the target application to attempt to decode the malicious OGG file through the vulnerable libvorbisfile API, making it particularly dangerous in multimedia applications that process user-supplied audio content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise entire multimedia applications and systems that rely on libvorbis for audio processing. Applications such as media players, content management systems, and streaming services that utilize the affected library become vulnerable to denial of service attacks where a single malicious file can cause the application to hang indefinitely, consuming system resources and potentially leading to system instability. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning in web applications and content delivery networks where users might unknowingly trigger the exploit through automated media processing or user-uploaded content, creating a vector for distributed denial of service attacks that can affect multiple users simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4065 primarily involve immediate upgrading to libvorbis version 1.2.0 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through enhanced input validation and improved error handling mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems utilizing libvorbis components receive timely updates. Additionally, deploying input validation controls at application level can provide defense-in-depth measures, including implementing timeouts for audio processing operations and sanitizing user-supplied media files before processing. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-835, which describes the weakness of infinite loops, and represents a classic example of how insufficient input validation can lead to denial of service conditions. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to the T1499.004 technique related to network denial of service and demonstrates the importance of proper input sanitization in preventing exploitation of multimedia processing libraries.