CVE-2013-4233 in libmodplug
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the abc_set_parts function in load_abc.cpp in libmodplug 0.8.8.4 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted P header in an ABC file, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/07/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-4233 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the libmodplug library version 0.8.8.4 and earlier, specifically within the abc_set_parts function located in load_abc.cpp. This issue arises from inadequate input validation when processing ABC format files, which are commonly used for storing musical compositions in the modplug format. The vulnerability manifests when a remote attacker crafts a malicious P header within an ABC file, exploiting the library's failure to properly handle integer arithmetic operations during buffer allocation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a heap-based buffer overflow condition that stems from the integer overflow in the abc_set_parts function. When the library processes a malformed ABC file with a specially crafted P header, the integer overflow causes the calculated buffer size to wrap around to a small value, while the actual data length remains large. This discrepancy results in insufficient memory allocation for the buffer, creating a heap-based buffer overflow that can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution, making it a severe security concern for systems processing untrusted ABC files.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to applications that utilize libmodplug for audio file processing, including music players, audio editing software, and multimedia frameworks that support ABC format files. The remote attack vector means that adversaries can exploit this flaw without requiring local access, making it particularly concerning for web-based applications or services that process user-uploaded audio files. The denial of service aspect can disrupt legitimate operations, while the potential for arbitrary code execution could allow attackers to gain full control over affected systems. This vulnerability affects a wide range of software ecosystems that depend on libmodplug for audio format support, including various open-source media players and embedded audio processing applications.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow and underflow conditions, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services through memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected libmodplug versions to address this vulnerability, while also implementing input validation measures to prevent processing of untrusted ABC files. Additionally, application developers should consider implementing proper bounds checking and memory allocation validation in their audio processing pipelines to mitigate potential exploitation of similar integer overflow vulnerabilities in their own codebases. The remediation approach should include updating to libmodplug version 0.8.8.5 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this integer overflow condition, along with comprehensive testing to ensure that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the audio processing stack.