CVE-2017-16890 in SWFTools
Summary
by MITRE
SWFTools 0.9.2 has a divide-by-zero error in the wav_convert2mono function in lib/wav.c because the align value may be zero.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/05/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-16890 resides within SWFTools version 0.9.2, specifically within the lib/wav.c source file where the wav_convert2mono function exhibits a critical divide-by-zero error. This flaw represents a classic software defect that occurs when a program attempts to perform a division operation with a denominator value of zero, leading to potential system instability or crash conditions. The issue manifests when the align value parameter within the wav_convert2mono function reaches a value of zero, creating an undefined mathematical operation that can cause the application to terminate unexpectedly or behave unpredictably during audio processing operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the realm of software quality assurance and defensive programming practices. When the align value becomes zero during the wave file conversion process, the function attempts to divide by this zero value, resulting in a mathematical error that typically triggers a program crash or system exception. This type of error commonly falls under CWE-369, which specifically addresses the divide by zero weakness in software systems. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental lack of input validation and error handling within the audio processing pipeline of SWFTools, where the application fails to properly validate the alignment parameters before performing mathematical operations.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that utilize SWFTools for audio file processing, particularly in environments where automated batch processing or web-based applications might invoke the affected function. Attackers could potentially exploit this weakness by crafting malicious wav files with zero alignment values, leading to denial of service conditions that could disrupt legitimate audio processing workflows. The impact extends beyond simple application crashes, as such vulnerabilities in multimedia processing tools can be leveraged in broader attack scenarios, especially when these tools are integrated into larger software ecosystems or web applications. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network disruption through resource exhaustion or system instability.
The remediation approach for CVE-2017-16890 requires implementing proper input validation and error handling mechanisms within the wav_convert2mono function. Developers should ensure that the align value is checked for zero before any division operations are performed, and appropriate default values or error responses should be implemented when invalid alignment parameters are detected. This fix should be implemented as part of a broader defensive programming strategy that emphasizes input validation, boundary checking, and robust error handling throughout the SWFTools codebase. System administrators should also consider applying patches or upgrading to newer versions of SWFTools where this vulnerability has been addressed, as the original version 0.9.2 has known security issues that may expose systems to additional attack vectors beyond this specific divide-by-zero flaw.