CVE-2017-11332 in Sound eXchange
Summary
by MITRE
The startread function in wav.c in Sound eXchange (SoX) 14.4.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (divide-by-zero error and application crash) via a crafted wav file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11332 resides within the Sound eXchange (SoX) multimedia processing library version 14.4.2, specifically in the startread function located in the wav.c file. This flaw represents a classic divide-by-zero error that occurs when processing malformed wav audio files, demonstrating a fundamental lack of input validation and error handling within the software's audio file parsing mechanism. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects a widely-used audio processing tool that serves as a foundation for numerous multimedia applications and systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of audio file headers during the reading process. When SoX encounters a crafted wav file with malformed header data, the startread function attempts to perform a division operation using a value that evaluates to zero, resulting in a runtime exception that terminates the application. This divide-by-zero condition falls under the CWE-369 vulnerability category, which specifically addresses the division by zero error that can lead to application instability and potential denial of service conditions. The flaw demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the software fails to validate input parameters before performing mathematical operations.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, as it can be exploited remotely by attackers to disrupt services that depend on SoX for audio processing. Systems utilizing SoX for automated audio conversion, streaming services, or multimedia applications become vulnerable to denial of service attacks when processing untrusted wav files. This vulnerability can be leveraged in various attack scenarios including web application exploitation where users upload audio files, or in network-based services that process audio streams from external sources. The attack surface is broad given SoX's integration into numerous multimedia frameworks and content management systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11332 should focus on immediate patching of the SoX library to version 14.4.3 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the divide-by-zero condition. Organizations should implement robust input validation mechanisms that sanitize all audio file headers before processing, incorporating checks for zero values in denominator operations. Additionally, deployment of network-based intrusion detection systems can help identify attempts to exploit this vulnerability through malformed audio file submissions. The remediation approach aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which addresses the exploitation of software vulnerabilities to cause denial of service, and should be complemented with proper application sandboxing to contain potential impacts. System administrators should also consider implementing file type validation and content scanning mechanisms to prevent the processing of potentially malicious audio files in environments where user uploads are permitted.