CVE-2012-1107 in TagLib
Summary
by MITRE
The analyzeCurrent function in ape/apeproperties.cpp in TagLib 1.7 and earlier allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted sampleRate in an ape file, which triggers a divide-by-zero error.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-1107 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the TagLib audio metadata library version 1.7 and earlier. This issue resides in the analyzeCurrent function located within the ape/apeproperties.cpp file, which processes audio file properties forAPE (Monkey's Audio) format files. The vulnerability manifests when a maliciously crafted sampleRate value is embedded within an APE file, creating a scenario where the application encounters a divide-by-zero error during normal operation. This type of error occurs when the software attempts to divide a numerical value by zero, which fundamentally breaks the program execution flow and results in an application crash. The flaw is classified as context-dependent because it requires specific conditions to be met, namely the presence of a crafted APE file with manipulated sampleRate data, making it exploitable only when the vulnerable software processes such files.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the audio file property analysis routine. When TagLib processes an APE file, it attempts to parse various metadata fields including sampleRate information to determine audio characteristics. The analyzeCurrent function fails to properly validate or sanitize the sampleRate value before performing mathematical operations that may result in division by zero. This represents a classic software error pattern where insufficient boundary checking and input sanitization lead to unexpected program termination. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-369, which specifically addresses divide-by-zero conditions in software implementations, and demonstrates poor defensive programming practices in handling external data inputs. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to craft a specific APE file that, when processed by any application using the vulnerable TagLib version, will trigger an application crash regardless of the target system's configuration or permissions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it affects any software application that relies on TagLib for audio file metadata processing. This includes media players, audio management tools, content delivery platforms, and digital asset management systems that utilize the library to analyze and display audio file properties. The denial of service occurs during normal file processing operations, meaning that legitimate users could be impacted when encountering maliciously crafted audio files in their media libraries or content repositories. Applications using vulnerable TagLib versions could experience complete application crashes, forcing users to restart software or potentially causing system instability if the crash occurs in critical processes. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in automated environments where batch processing of audio files might occur, as a single malicious file could cause cascading failures across multiple processing operations and potentially affect larger system availability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-1107 require immediate software updates to TagLib version 1.8 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the divide-by-zero error in the analyzeCurrent function. System administrators should prioritize updating all applications that depend on TagLib, particularly those handling user-uploaded audio content or processing large media libraries. Implementing proper input validation and error handling within applications that utilize TagLib can provide additional defense in depth, though this approach is less effective than the core library update. Organizations should also consider implementing file validation procedures that scan for known malicious audio file patterns before processing, and establish monitoring for unusual application crash patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date third-party libraries and implementing robust input validation practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate process exploitation and T1499 for endpoint denial of service. Regular vulnerability assessments and penetration testing should include checks for outdated library versions to prevent similar issues from compromising system security and availability.