CVE-2017-17456 in libsndfile
Summary
by MITRE
The function d2alaw_array() in alaw.c of libsndfile 1.0.29pre1 may lead to a remote DoS attack (SEGV on unknown address 0x000000000000), a different vulnerability than CVE-2017-14245.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/17/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17456 affects the libsndfile library version 1.0.29pre1 and specifically targets the d2alaw_array() function within the alaw.c file. This issue represents a remote denial of service condition that manifests as a segmentation fault occurring at an unknown memory address 0x0000000000000000. The flaw demonstrates characteristics that distinguish it from CVE-2017-14245, indicating a separate code path or implementation error within the library's handling of audio data processing. The vulnerability arises from improper input validation or memory management within the A-law decoding routine that processes audio samples in the library's audio file handling capabilities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker provides malformed or specially crafted audio data to a system utilizing libsndfile for audio processing. The d2alaw_array() function appears to lack adequate bounds checking or input sanitization when processing audio data, leading to a null pointer dereference or invalid memory access pattern. This type of error typically occurs when the function attempts to access memory at address zero, which is typically unmapped or protected in modern operating systems, resulting in immediate system termination. The vulnerability's remote nature suggests that it can be triggered through network-based file processing or streaming scenarios where the library processes external audio data without proper validation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security concerns for systems that rely on libsndfile for audio file processing, including multimedia applications, audio servers, and content management systems. The segmentation fault results in immediate application termination or system crash, effectively rendering the affected service unavailable to legitimate users. This denial of service condition can be exploited by attackers to disrupt audio processing services, potentially causing cascading failures in larger systems that depend on these libraries. The vulnerability's classification as a remote DoS means that attackers do not require local access or authentication to exploit the flaw, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where audio files are processed automatically.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and may also relate to CWE-476, pointer issues, as the null pointer dereference indicates improper pointer handling within the audio processing code. From the MITRE ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability could be categorized under initial access or execution phases where an attacker might leverage the DoS condition to disrupt services or potentially use it as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. The attack surface is broad given that libsndfile is widely used across various platforms and applications, including web servers, media processing frameworks, and multimedia software. Security practitioners should prioritize patching this vulnerability as it represents a straightforward path to service disruption without requiring complex attack vectors or specialized knowledge. The recommended mitigation strategy involves updating to a patched version of libsndfile where the d2alaw_array() function has been properly validated and memory access has been secured against invalid input data patterns.