CVE-2017-15019 in LAME
Summary
by MITRE
LAME 3.99.5 has a NULL Pointer Dereference in the hip_decode_init function within libmp3lame/mpglib_interface.c via a malformed mpg file, because of an incorrect calloc call.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15019 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the LAME 3.99.5 audio encoding library, specifically affecting the hip_decode_init function located in libmp3lame/mpglib_interface.c. This issue arises from an improper calloc memory allocation call that fails to adequately handle malformed mp3 file inputs, creating a scenario where the application attempts to dereference a null pointer during the decoding initialization process. The flaw fundamentally stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the library's interface handling code.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs when a maliciously crafted mp3 file is processed by the affected LAME library, triggering the hip_decode_init function to attempt memory allocation using calloc with incorrect parameters. This improper allocation results in a null pointer being returned, which subsequently gets dereferenced during the decoding initialization phase. The vulnerability manifests as a denial of service condition where the application crashes or becomes unresponsive when attempting to process the malformed input file. This type of flaw falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions, and represents a classic example of improper error handling in memory management operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to systems that rely on LAME for audio processing, particularly in environments where untrusted mp3 files are processed automatically. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors if the library is used in web applications or file processing pipelines. Attackers could exploit this weakness to cause service disruption in audio processing applications, media servers, or content management systems that utilize the vulnerable LAME library. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in automated processing environments where batch file handling occurs without proper input sanitization, as it could be leveraged to systematically crash processing services.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15019 should prioritize immediate patching of the LAME library to version 3.100 or later, where the calloc call has been corrected to properly handle memory allocation scenarios. Organizations should implement input validation measures that sanitize mp3 file inputs before processing, including verifying file headers and structure integrity. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious file processing patterns and implementing proper error handling within applications that utilize the LAME library can help prevent exploitation. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which involves exploitation of software vulnerabilities for denial of service, and organizations should consider this when developing their threat modeling and incident response procedures. System administrators should also implement monitoring for abnormal application behavior and crash patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in environments where audio processing services are exposed to untrusted inputs.