CVE-2012-0270 in Csound
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in Csound before 5.16.6 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) hetro file to the getnum function in util/heti_main.c or (2) PVOC file to the getnum function in util/pv_import.c.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-0270 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting Csound versions prior to 5.16.6. This vulnerability resides within the audio synthesis and music composition software ecosystem, where Csound serves as a comprehensive framework for sound synthesis and audio processing. The flaw manifests in two distinct attack vectors that target the getnum function within different utility modules of the software. The first vector involves maliciously crafted hetero files that exploit the getnum function located in util/heti_main.c, while the second vector targets PVOC files that exploit the same function in util/pv_import.c. Both attack paths leverage the fundamental weakness of insufficient input validation and improper buffer management in the parsing routines of these audio file formats.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during the parsing of specially crafted audio files. When Csound processes these malformed hetero or PVOC files, the getnum function fails to properly validate the size of incoming data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This allows attackers to overflow the allocated buffer space and overwrite adjacent memory locations, including return addresses and function pointers. The stack-based nature of the vulnerability means that attackers can manipulate the program execution flow by overwriting the return address on the stack, effectively enabling remote code execution. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a critical weakness in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog. The vulnerability's classification aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation would allow attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a significant threat to systems running Csound in production environments. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access to systems processing audio content, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The remote exploit capability means that attackers need not have physical access to the target system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments where Csound might be processing user-uploaded audio files. Organizations using Csound for audio processing, music composition, or sound synthesis in educational or professional settings face elevated risk, as the vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including web applications, file sharing systems, or automated processing pipelines. The exploitability of this vulnerability is further enhanced by the fact that it requires no special privileges to trigger, making it accessible to any attacker who can submit malicious files to a vulnerable system.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-0270 primarily focus on immediate software updates and input validation improvements. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to Csound version 5.16.6 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow conditions in both utility modules. Additionally, implementing strict input validation measures can provide defense-in-depth protection, including sanitizing all audio file inputs before processing and employing stack canaries or other buffer overflow detection mechanisms. System administrators should also consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file upload patterns or malformed audio file signatures. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation in multimedia processing applications, where file format parsing often involves complex data structures that can be easily exploited if proper bounds checking is not implemented. Organizations should also implement principle of least privilege access controls for systems running Csound and establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify similar weaknesses in other audio processing software components.