CVE-2017-14181 in aacplusenc
Summary
by MITRE
DeleteBitBuffer in libbitbuf/bitbuffer.c in mp4tools aacplusenc 0.17.5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid memory write, SEGV on unknown address 0x000000000030, and application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted .wav file, aka a NULL pointer dereference.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/13/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-14181 represents a critical memory safety issue within the mp4tools aacplusenc 0.17.5 library, specifically in the DeleteBitBuffer function located in libbitbuf/bitbuffer.c. This flaw manifests as a NULL pointer dereference that occurs when processing malformed .wav files, creating a potential pathway for remote attackers to execute denial of service attacks or potentially achieve more severe system compromise. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the bit buffer deletion routine, where the application fails to properly check for null pointers before attempting memory operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the DeleteBitBuffer function failing to validate pointer references during the cleanup phase of bit buffer operations. When a crafted .wav file is processed, the function attempts to access memory at address 0x000000000030, which represents a NULL pointer dereference scenario. This condition triggers an invalid memory write operation that results in segmentation fault (SEGV) and subsequent application crash. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-476, which addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it creates opportunities for attackers to exploit the application's memory handling weaknesses. Remote attackers can craft malicious .wav files that, when processed by vulnerable versions of aacplusenc, will trigger the NULL pointer dereference and cause system instability. The potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that this vulnerability may be exploitable for more sophisticated attacks, potentially including privilege escalation or code execution depending on the execution environment. Organizations using mp4tools aacplusenc 0.17.5 in production systems face significant risk of service interruption and potential security compromise through this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-14181 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with updated versions of aacplusenc that address the NULL pointer dereference in DeleteBitBuffer. System administrators should implement input validation measures to prevent processing of untrusted .wav files, particularly in environments where the application handles external media inputs. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the attack surface by restricting unauthorized access to vulnerable systems. Additionally, implementing application sandboxing techniques and memory protection mechanisms can provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potential memory safety issues within similar multimedia processing libraries, as this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and memory management practices in multimedia applications. The vulnerability underscores the necessity of following secure coding practices and adhering to industry standards such as those defined in the CWE dictionary and ATT&CK framework for preventing similar memory safety issues in multimedia processing software.