CVE-2014-9640 in vorbis-tools
Summary
by MITRE
oggenc/oggenc.c in vorbis-tools 1.4.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds read) via a crafted raw file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9640 resides within the oggenc component of vorbis-tools version 1.4.0, specifically in the oggenc.c source file. This issue represents a classic out-of-bounds read condition that manifests when processing crafted raw audio files, fundamentally compromising the integrity of the audio encoding process. The vulnerability operates by manipulating input data in a manner that causes the application to attempt reading memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, creating a potential pathway for denial of service exploitation.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the oggenc utility's file parsing routines. When the application encounters a specially crafted raw file, it fails to properly bounds-check memory accesses during the processing of audio frame data. This deficiency allows an attacker to construct malicious input that triggers memory access violations, causing the application to crash or behave unpredictably. The vulnerability is classified as a memory safety issue that aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to system instability and potential information disclosure.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can be exploited remotely by attackers who gain the ability to inject malicious audio data into systems processing audio files. This creates a significant risk for multimedia applications, content delivery networks, and audio processing services that rely on vorbis-tools for audio encoding operations. The denial of service condition can be particularly problematic in automated processing environments where continuous audio file conversion is required, as it can lead to complete system unavailability and service interruption.
From an attacker perspective, this vulnerability fits within the ATT&CK framework under the T1499 category of Network Denial of Service, where adversaries can leverage software flaws to disrupt legitimate service availability. The exploitability of CVE-2014-9640 is relatively straightforward, requiring only the ability to upload or transmit a crafted raw file to a vulnerable system. Organizations utilizing vorbis-tools for audio processing should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where external audio file uploads are permitted.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability include immediate patching of affected vorbis-tools installations to version 1.4.1 or later, which contains the necessary input validation fixes. System administrators should also implement robust input sanitization measures, including file type validation and size limitations for audio file uploads. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management and input validation in multimedia processing applications, reinforcing industry best practices for secure coding standards that align with both CWE guidelines and secure software development lifecycle requirements.