CVE-2015-9101 in LAME
Summary
by MITRE
The fill_buffer_resample function in util.c in libmp3lame.a in LAME 3.99.5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer over-read and application crash) via a crafted audio file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/20/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-9101 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read flaw within the LAME MP3 encoding library version 3.99.5. This issue specifically affects the fill_buffer_resample function located in the util.c source file of the libmp3lame.a library, which serves as the core audio processing component for MP3 file generation and manipulation. The vulnerability manifests when the library processes malformed or crafted audio files that exploit improper memory boundary checking during the buffer resampling operation, creating conditions where the application attempts to read beyond allocated heap memory regions. Such buffer over-read conditions typically arise from insufficient validation of input parameters and lack of proper bounds checking when handling audio data resampling operations, which are fundamental processes in MP3 encoding where audio samples are converted between different sampling rates.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability to encompass potential system compromise and denial of service scenarios across numerous software applications that depend on the LAME library for audio processing capabilities. When exploited, the vulnerability can cause applications utilizing LAME to crash abruptly, leading to complete service unavailability and potentially enabling attackers to execute arbitrary code within the application context. The heap-based nature of the buffer over-read means that memory corruption occurs in the heap memory space rather than on the stack, making exploitation more complex but potentially more dangerous as it can lead to information disclosure or remote code execution depending on the specific implementation and memory layout. This vulnerability affects a wide range of applications including media players, audio editing software, streaming services, and content management systems that rely on LAME for MP3 encoding operations, creating a significant attack surface for malicious actors targeting audio processing pipelines.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-9101 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with updated versions of the LAME library that contain proper bounds checking and memory validation routines. System administrators should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes to identify all instances where vulnerable LAME versions are deployed and ensure timely updates are applied across all affected platforms. Input validation measures should be strengthened to reject malformed audio files before they reach the vulnerable library functions, and runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries should be enabled where possible. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation that enables memory corruption vulnerabilities. From an adversarial perspective, this flaw corresponds to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script injection, as attackers could potentially leverage the application crashes to execute malicious payloads, though the primary impact remains denial of service and potential information disclosure. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect anomalous audio file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining detailed logs of audio processing activities for forensic analysis purposes.