CVE-2007-4885 in AV MP3 Player
Summary
by MITRE
Avnex AV MP3 Player allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a malformed .au file that triggers a divide-by-zero error.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/31/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4885 affects the Avnex AV MP3 Player software, representing a classic example of a divide-by-zero error that leads to application instability. This flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor programming errors can result in significant operational disruptions, particularly in media playback applications that process external file formats. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of .au audio files, which are based on the Sun Audio File format and are widely used for storing audio data in Unix environments. The issue arises when the player encounters a malformed .au file that contains invalid header information, particularly in fields that control audio sample rates or frame sizes.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves a divide-by-zero error occurring during the audio file parsing process, which is a well-documented class of programming error that has been classified under CWE-369. When the player attempts to process an improperly formatted .au file, the software encounters a mathematical operation where a divisor evaluates to zero, causing the application to crash immediately. This type of error is particularly dangerous because it represents a fundamental failure in input validation and error handling mechanisms. The attacker needs only to prepare a specially crafted .au file with malformed header values that will result in a zero division during the audio decoding process, making this a user-assisted remote attack vector that requires minimal technical expertise to exploit.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for end-users who may unknowingly encounter maliciously crafted audio files during normal playback activities. The denial of service condition affects the availability of the media player application, preventing legitimate users from accessing their audio content. This type of vulnerability can be particularly problematic in environments where media players are automatically launched or integrated into larger applications, as the crash could propagate to other system components or be exploited as part of a broader attack strategy. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper input validation in multimedia processing applications, which should never trust external file formats without thorough sanitization and error checking. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability relates to T1499.004 which covers network denial of service attacks, and T1595.001 which involves reconnaissance through network scanning and analysis.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on implementing robust input validation and error handling mechanisms within the application. Software vendors should ensure that all mathematical operations include proper checks for zero divisors, particularly in file format parsing routines. The recommended approach involves implementing defensive programming practices that validate all input parameters before processing, including header values in audio files, and implementing graceful error handling that prevents application crashes. Additionally, users should be advised to avoid opening audio files from untrusted sources and to keep their media player software updated with the latest security patches. The vulnerability also underscores the need for comprehensive testing of file format parsers, including edge cases and malformed inputs, as part of the software development lifecycle to prevent similar issues from occurring in other applications.