CVE-2017-1000418 in WildMIDI
Summary
by MITRE
The WildMidi_Open function in WildMIDI since commit d8a466829c67cacbb1700beded25c448d99514e5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap-based buffer overflow and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/19/2023
The CVE-2017-1000418 vulnerability resides within the WildMIDI multimedia library, specifically in the WildMidi_Open function that handles MIDI file processing. This vulnerability represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow that can be exploited by remote attackers through the careful crafting of malicious MIDI files. The vulnerability was introduced in WildMIDI versions prior to commit d8a466829c67cacbb1700beded25c448d99514e5, making it a long-standing issue that affects numerous implementations of the library across various software applications and operating systems. The flaw occurs during the parsing of MIDI file headers and data structures, where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption when processing malformed file contents.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves attackers constructing specially crafted MIDI files that contain oversized or malformed data structures within the file headers or track information. When the WildMidi_Open function processes these malicious files, it fails to properly validate the size parameters of various data structures, leading to a heap-based buffer overflow condition. This overflow corrupts adjacent memory locations and can cause the application to crash abruptly, resulting in a denial of service condition that renders the affected application unusable. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple crashes as the buffer overflow may potentially allow for more sophisticated exploitation techniques, including arbitrary code execution, though the exact nature of these secondary impacts remains unspecified in the vulnerability description.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to any system that utilizes WildMIDI for MIDI file processing, including music applications, game engines, multimedia frameworks, and embedded systems that support MIDI playback. The remote attack vector means that adversaries can exploit this vulnerability without requiring local access, making it particularly dangerous for web-based applications or services that process user-uploaded MIDI files. The vulnerability affects a wide range of software implementations that depend on the WildMIDI library, creating a substantial attack surface across different platforms and applications. Security professionals should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority issue due to its potential for remote code execution and the widespread use of WildMIDI in various software ecosystems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-1000418 should focus on immediate patching of affected WildMIDI versions to the commit referenced in the vulnerability description or newer releases that contain proper input validation. System administrators should implement strict file validation procedures for any MIDI file processing applications, including content scanning and size limitations. Additionally, network segmentation and access controls should be implemented to limit exposure to potentially malicious file uploads. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow classification and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and code injection through memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections and monitoring for abnormal application behavior that could indicate exploitation attempts.