CVE-2017-17554 in aubio
Summary
by MITRE
A NULL pointer dereference (DoS) Vulnerability was found in the function aubio_source_avcodec_readframe in io/source_avcodec.c of aubio 0.4.6, which may lead to DoS when playing a crafted audio file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-17554 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the aubio audio processing library version 0.4.6. This issue manifests specifically within the aubio_source_avcodec_readframe function located in the io/source_avcodec.c file, demonstrating how seemingly innocuous audio file parsing can become a vector for denial of service attacks. The flaw arises from inadequate input validation and error handling mechanisms that fail to properly check for null return values from underlying audio decoding operations, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted audio files can trigger abrupt program termination.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the function's failure to validate return values from the underlying avcodec_decode_audio4 function call, which is part of the ffmpeg library's decoding infrastructure. When processing specially crafted audio files, the decoding process may return a null pointer that the aubio library does not properly handle, leading to an immediate null pointer dereference. This condition occurs because the library assumes that certain decoding operations will always succeed and that the resulting data structures will contain valid pointers. The absence of proper null checks before dereferencing pointers in the audio frame processing pipeline creates an exploitable condition that can be triggered by any application using aubio for audio file analysis or processing.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to applications that rely on aubio for audio processing tasks, particularly those handling untrusted audio input from external sources. The denial of service impact means that any system processing audio files through the affected library could experience complete service disruption, requiring manual intervention to restore normal operations. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in streaming applications, audio analysis systems, and multimedia processing environments where automated processing of audio content is common. The attack vector is straightforward - an attacker needs only to provide a maliciously crafted audio file to trigger the null pointer dereference, making this vulnerability highly exploitable in real-world scenarios.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions, and demonstrates how improper error handling can lead to system instability. From an attacker's perspective, this flaw maps to the ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which involves the use of resource exhaustion and denial of service attacks through the manipulation of application input. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially affect entire audio processing pipelines, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where audio analysis is critical for business operations or security monitoring. Organizations utilizing aubio in production systems should consider this vulnerability as a high-priority concern requiring immediate remediation through patch updates or code modifications.
Mitigation strategies should focus on implementing comprehensive input validation and error handling within the affected library functions. The most effective approach involves adding proper null pointer checks before any pointer dereference operations, ensuring that the library gracefully handles decoding failures or unexpected input conditions. Additionally, implementing proper exception handling and graceful degradation mechanisms would allow the system to continue processing other audio files even when encountering problematic inputs. The recommended solution includes updating to patched versions of aubio where the null pointer dereference has been addressed through proper input validation and error recovery mechanisms. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing or input sanitization techniques for audio files processed through aubio to prevent potential exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in other library components.