CVE-2017-15372 in Sound eXchange
Summary
by MITRE
There is a stack-based buffer overflow in the lsx_ms_adpcm_block_expand_i function of adpcm.c in Sound eXchange (SoX) 14.4.2. A Crafted input will lead to a denial of service attack during conversion of an audio file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15372 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the Sound eXchange (SoX) audio processing library version 14.4.2. This flaw exists in the lsx_ms_adpcm_block_expand_i function located in the adpcm.c source file, making it a significant concern for systems that process audio files through this library. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking during the processing of Microsoft ADPCM audio blocks, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered by maliciously crafted audio files.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow conditions, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write data beyond the allocated buffer space on the stack. When SoX encounters a specially crafted input file containing malformed Microsoft ADPCM data, the lsx_ms_adpcm_block_expand_i function fails to properly validate the size of incoming data blocks before copying them into fixed-size stack buffers. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a substantial risk for any system that relies on SoX for audio file conversion or processing tasks. The denial of service impact means that legitimate users could be prevented from processing audio files, while the potential for remote code execution makes this a particularly dangerous flaw in environments where SoX is used for automated processing or in web-facing applications. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through simple file uploads or processing of untrusted audio content, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise.
The attack surface for this vulnerability extends across numerous applications that depend on SoX for audio processing functionality, including audio editing software, media servers, content management systems, and automated transcription services. Security practitioners should note that the vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1499 (Endpoint Denial of Service) when exploited in the context of audio file processing workflows. Organizations using SoX in production environments should immediately implement mitigations including input validation, sandboxing of audio processing components, and regular updates to the library to address this flaw.
Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of SoX to version 14.4.3 or later where this vulnerability has been resolved through proper bounds checking and input validation. Additionally, implementing strict input validation measures such as file format checking, size limits, and content sanitization can help prevent exploitation attempts. Network segmentation and application whitelisting approaches should be considered for systems processing audio files, while monitoring for unusual processing patterns or denial of service indicators can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of robust input validation in multimedia processing libraries and the critical need for regular security updates in open source software dependencies.