CVE-2017-5665 in libmp3splt
Summary
by MITRE
The splt_cue_export_to_file function in cue.c in libmp3splt 0.9.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and crash) via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5665 resides within the libmp3splt library version 0.9.2, specifically within the splt_cue_export_to_file function located in the cue.c source file. This flaw represents a classic null pointer dereference vulnerability that can be exploited by remote attackers to induce a denial of service condition. The issue occurs when the library processes a specially crafted file that contains malformed cue sheet data, leading to improper memory handling and subsequent system crash.
From a technical perspective, the vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the cue file processing functionality. When the splt_cue_export_to_file function encounters malformed or unexpected data structures in the cue file, it fails to properly check for null pointers before attempting to dereference them. This type of flaw falls under CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL Pointer Dereference conditions. The function does not implement proper bounds checking or data sanitization mechanisms that would prevent the execution from proceeding when invalid data is encountered, resulting in an unhandled exception that terminates the application.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption as it can be exploited remotely without requiring authentication or specialized privileges. Attackers can craft malicious cue files that, when processed by any application utilizing libmp3splt version 0.9.2, will trigger the null pointer dereference and cause the target system to crash. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where automated processing of media files occurs, such as web applications, media servers, or content management systems that rely on libmp3splt for audio file manipulation. The attack surface is broad as any software that integrates this library becomes potentially vulnerable to this remote denial of service condition.
Security practitioners should consider this vulnerability in the context of the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically under the T1499 category of Network Denial of Service, where adversaries can disrupt services by exploiting application-level vulnerabilities. The remediation strategy should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, as the vulnerability exists in a widely used media processing library. Organizations should implement proper input validation measures and consider sandboxing mechanisms for processing untrusted cue files. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual crash patterns or resource consumption spikes that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust error handling and input validation in open source libraries that are widely integrated into commercial applications, highlighting the critical need for regular security assessments of third-party dependencies to prevent such remote exploitation scenarios.