CVE-2017-16868 in SWFTools
Summary
by MITRE
In SWFTools 0.9.2, the wav_convert2mono function in lib/wav.c does not properly restrict a multiplication within a malloc call, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (integer overflow and NULL pointer dereference) via a crafted WAV file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/10/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16868 resides within SWFTools version 0.9.2, specifically in the wav_convert2mono function located in lib/wav.c. This flaw represents a critical security issue that demonstrates poor input validation and memory management practices in multimedia processing software. The vulnerability stems from an insufficient check on integer multiplication operations that occur within a malloc call, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted WAV files can trigger unintended system behavior.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a specific integer overflow condition that manifests during the memory allocation process. When the wav_convert2mono function processes a specially crafted WAV file, it performs a multiplication operation that should determine the size of memory to allocate. However, due to inadequate bounds checking, this multiplication can result in an integer overflow, producing a value that either wraps around to zero or exceeds the maximum representable value. When this malformed multiplication result is passed to malloc, it typically results in either allocating zero bytes or an excessively large memory block that cannot be fulfilled, leading to a subsequent NULL pointer dereference during program execution.
This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-190, which identifies integer overflow and underflow conditions, and CWE-476, which addresses NULL pointer dereference issues. The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it provides attackers with a reliable method to crash the targeted SWFTools application. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can trigger this condition without physical access to the system, making it particularly dangerous in web-based environments where SWFTools might be processing user-uploaded media files. The vulnerability affects any system running SWFTools 0.9.2 that processes WAV audio files, potentially creating widespread disruption in applications that depend on this tool for multimedia conversion.
The attack vector for CVE-2017-16868 aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which describes exploitation of software vulnerabilities for denial of service. This vulnerability can be leveraged by attackers to consume system resources or cause application crashes, potentially leading to service disruption for legitimate users. The lack of proper input sanitization and memory allocation validation creates an environment where malformed data can cause unpredictable program behavior, making this a particularly insidious vulnerability in security contexts. Organizations using SWFTools should prioritize immediate patching or mitigation strategies to prevent exploitation, as the vulnerability can be easily triggered through simple file manipulation without requiring advanced technical skills or specific system access. The issue underscores the importance of robust integer overflow protection and proper memory management in multimedia processing libraries that handle untrusted input data.