CVE-2017-15953 in bchunk
Summary
by MITRE
bchunk (related to BinChunker) 1.2.0 and 1.2.1 is vulnerable to a heap-based buffer overflow and crash when processing a malformed CUE (.cue) file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-15953 affects bchunk version 1.2.0 and 1.2.1, which is part of the BinChunker suite of tools used for converting binary disc images into audio files. This toolchain serves legitimate purposes in optical disc image processing and audio file creation, but the identified flaw creates a critical security risk through heap-based buffer overflow conditions. The vulnerability specifically manifests when processing malformed CUE files, which are text files containing metadata about audio CD images and their track structure. These files typically define track boundaries, audio formats, and other disc-related information that bchunk uses to properly segment and convert binary data into playable audio formats.
The technical flaw resides in how bchunk handles input validation for CUE file parsing, particularly in heap memory allocation and data copying operations. When a malformed CUE file is processed, the application fails to properly validate the length and structure of data elements within the file, leading to a situation where more data is copied into a heap-allocated buffer than it can accommodate. This heap-based buffer overflow creates a condition where adjacent memory locations become overwritten, potentially corrupting program state, causing abrupt termination, or in more severe cases, enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, which represents a common and dangerous class of memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be exploited by attackers to gain control over affected systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, as it can be leveraged by malicious actors to compromise systems running vulnerable versions of bchunk. Attackers could craft specially formatted CUE files designed to trigger the buffer overflow during normal operation, potentially leading to denial of service conditions or more serious exploitation scenarios. The vulnerability affects systems where bchunk is used for processing user-supplied or untrusted CUE files, which is common in multimedia applications, audio CD ripping software, and digital media processing environments. Given that bchunk is often integrated into larger software ecosystems for disc image handling, the potential attack surface expands significantly beyond isolated applications. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, "Exploitation for Client Execution," as it represents a method for executing malicious code through the exploitation of a buffer overflow in a legitimate utility.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-15953 focus primarily on updating to patched versions of bchunk, specifically versions 1.2.2 and later, which contain proper input validation and buffer size checking mechanisms. System administrators should immediately upgrade all installations of bchunk to the latest stable releases to eliminate the risk of exploitation. Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation for all CUE files processed by applications, using sandboxing techniques to isolate bchunk execution, and monitoring for unusual file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider disabling automatic CUE file processing in applications that interface with bchunk, particularly when dealing with untrusted input sources. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management and input validation in open source utilities, as even seemingly benign tools can become attack vectors when they fail to properly handle malformed input data.