CVE-2014-9497 in mpg123
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in mpg123 before 1.18.0.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9497 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw discovered in the mpg123 media player software prior to version 1.18.0. This issue affects the handling of audio file parsing operations, specifically within the MPEG audio decoding components that process mp3 files. The buffer overflow occurs when the software fails to properly validate input data length during the parsing of malformed or specially crafted audio files, creating opportunities for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability manifests in the software's inability to enforce proper bounds checking when processing audio frame headers and associated metadata, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors. This flaw exists in the core audio processing pipeline where the application reads and interprets audio file structures without adequate safeguards against oversized or malformed data inputs.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the mpg123 library's audio frame parsing routines. When processing mp3 files, the software reads frame headers that contain information about audio data size and structure, but fails to verify that the declared data lengths remain within expected bounds. This allows attackers to craft malicious audio files where frame headers specify data sizes that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption. The vulnerability specifically relates to the handling of variable-length data structures within the MPEG audio format, where the software assumes valid frame sizes without proper bounds checking. This type of flaw falls under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios, depending on where the memory corruption occurs during processing.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9497 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that can be exploited by attackers. When successfully exploited, the buffer overflow can allow malicious actors to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects systems that utilize mpg123 as a library component or as a standalone player application, making it particularly dangerous in environments where automated media processing occurs. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through various vectors including web-based media players, email attachments, or malicious media file distribution channels. The exploitability of this flaw increases when mpg123 is integrated into larger applications or web services that process untrusted audio content, creating widespread attack surface implications. Organizations using vulnerable versions face significant risk of unauthorized access, data exfiltration, and system compromise when processing audio files from untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9497 primarily involve immediate software updates to mpg123 version 1.18.0 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected versions of mpg123 and ensure prompt patch deployment across all environments. Additional defensive measures include implementing network-based filtering to block suspicious audio file types, deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for exploitation attempts, and establishing robust input validation controls for any applications that process audio content. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted media processing applications and maintain regular security updates for all multimedia software components. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in multimedia processing libraries, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, as attackers can leverage such vulnerabilities to execute malicious payloads through compromised media processing applications. System hardening measures including address space layout randomization and stack canaries should also be implemented to provide additional defense-in-depth protection against exploitation attempts.