CVE-2011-0615 in Audition
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in Adobe Audition 3.0.1 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (memory corruption and application crash) via crafted data in unspecified fields in the TRKM chunk in an Audition Session (aka .ses) file, related to inconsistent use of character data types.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/16/2024
Adobe Audition 3.0.1 and earlier versions contain multiple buffer overflow vulnerabilities that arise from improper handling of character data types within the TRKM chunk of .ses session files. These vulnerabilities stem from inconsistent use of character data types during parsing of crafted input data, creating opportunities for memory corruption that can be exploited remotely by attackers. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes malformed TRKM chunk data structures, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory regions with malicious payloads. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 buffer overflow category, which represents a classic security weakness where data written to a buffer exceeds its allocated size, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or application instability. The security implications extend beyond simple memory corruption as the vulnerability can be leveraged for remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where users might unknowingly open malicious session files. The attack vector requires an attacker to craft a specially designed .ses file containing malicious TRKM chunk data, which when opened by an affected version of Adobe Audition triggers the buffer overflow condition. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves leveraging software vulnerabilities to execute arbitrary code, and demonstrates how insecure input handling can lead to privilege escalation and system compromise. The impact of these buffer overflows can result in complete application crashes, denial of service conditions, or more severe consequences including full system compromise if the overflow leads to successful code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper casting and handling of character data types during the parsing of session files. When Adobe Audition processes the TRKM chunk, it fails to properly validate the length of character data fields before copying them into fixed-size buffers. This inconsistency in data type handling creates a scenario where attackers can manipulate the size indicators within the TRKM chunk to exceed buffer boundaries. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the application does not perform adequate input sanitization or boundary checks before processing potentially malicious data. The buffer overflow occurs because the application assumes that character data will not exceed predetermined limits without validating these assumptions against actual input data. This flaw represents a classic example of how legacy code or insufficient input validation can create exploitable conditions that persist across multiple versions of software. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate application functionality but also creates potential for broader system compromise when successful exploitation occurs.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of Adobe Audition to version 3.0.2 or later, which addresses the buffer overflow conditions through proper input validation and boundary checking. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent users from opening unknown or untrusted .ses files, particularly those received via email attachments or downloaded from unverified sources. Network administrators should consider implementing sandboxing solutions that isolate Adobe Audition processes from critical system resources, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The implementation of automatic update mechanisms for Adobe software products helps ensure that users receive security patches promptly without requiring manual intervention. Security teams should also consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify attempts to craft malicious session files, monitoring for suspicious file patterns or known exploit signatures. Regular security assessments of audio editing software installations can help identify vulnerable systems and ensure that all patches are properly applied. Additionally, user education programs should emphasize the importance of only opening session files from trusted sources and maintaining current software versions to prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities. The vulnerability underscores the importance of defensive programming practices and proper input validation in preventing buffer overflow attacks, which remain a prevalent threat in multimedia and audio processing applications.