CVE-2017-16793 in SWFTools
Summary
by MITRE
The wav_convert2mono function in lib/wav.c in SWFTools 0.9.2 does not properly validate WAV data, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (incorrect malloc and heap-based buffer overflow) or possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16793 resides within the SWFTools 0.9.2 software suite, specifically in the wav_convert2mono function located in the lib/wav.c file. This function is responsible for converting stereo WAV audio files to mono format, a common operation in multimedia processing workflows. The flaw represents a critical security issue that stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the WAV data parsing logic, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the software through carefully crafted audio files.
The technical nature of this vulnerability manifests as a heap-based buffer overflow that occurs during the memory allocation process when processing malformed WAV files. The incorrect malloc behavior indicates that the function fails to properly calculate or validate the required memory size before allocating heap space, leading to memory corruption that can result in application crashes or unpredictable behavior. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-122, which specifically addresses heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation that can lead to denial of service or potentially more severe consequences depending on the execution context.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as remote attackers can leverage this flaw to disrupt services or potentially execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected application. When a victim processes a maliciously crafted WAV file through SWFTools, the vulnerable function attempts to allocate insufficient memory for the conversion process, causing the application to either crash or behave unpredictably. This vulnerability affects any system running SWFTools 0.9.2 that processes user-supplied audio files, making it particularly dangerous in environments where file processing is automated or where users can upload content for processing.
From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting weaknesses in software applications to cause denial of service or other system disruptions. The exploitability of CVE-2017-16793 is particularly concerning because it requires no special privileges or authentication, making it accessible to any remote attacker who can convince a victim to process a malicious file. Organizations using SWFTools for multimedia processing, content management systems, or any application that relies on this library for audio file handling should consider this vulnerability as a critical threat requiring immediate remediation. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in multimedia processing libraries, as well as the need for regular security updates and patch management procedures to prevent exploitation of such fundamental flaws in widely-used software tools.