CVE-2017-5666 in mp3splt
Summary
by MITRE
The free_options function in options_manager.c in mp3splt 2.6.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid free and crash) via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/03/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-5666 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the mp3splt audio splitting utility version 2.6.2. This issue resides in the free_options function located within the options_manager.c source file, demonstrating a classic buffer over-read or improper memory management vulnerability that can be exploited remotely through crafted input files. The mp3splt utility is widely used for splitting audio files into smaller segments and is commonly deployed in both personal and professional audio processing environments where reliable file handling is essential.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the options parsing subsystem. When a remote attacker crafts a malicious audio file with specifically formatted metadata or header structures, the free_options function fails to properly handle the malformed input, leading to invalid memory free operations that ultimately result in application crashes. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-415 Double Free category, where improper memory management leads to undefined behavior, and can be classified as a CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read when the function attempts to access memory beyond allocated boundaries. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for Network Denial of Service, where an attacker leverages software flaws to disrupt service availability.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-5666 extends beyond simple service disruption to potentially compromise the reliability of audio processing workflows that depend on mp3splt. In professional environments where audio editing, podcast production, or automated audio processing pipelines are in use, this vulnerability could lead to significant operational downtime and data processing interruptions. The remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the vulnerability without requiring local access, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where audio files might be processed automatically upon upload. Organizations using mp3splt in automated processing systems face the risk of repeated service failures, which could result in lost productivity and potential revenue loss during critical audio processing operations.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the mp3splt utility to version 2.6.3 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes. System administrators should implement input validation controls that filter potentially malicious audio files before processing, particularly in automated environments where untrusted input is common. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit the potential impact of exploitation attempts, while monitoring systems should be deployed to detect unusual application behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing sandboxing techniques for audio file processing to contain potential impacts of similar vulnerabilities in other components of their audio processing pipelines, following the principle of least privilege and defense in depth strategies recommended in cybersecurity frameworks such as NIST SP 800-53.