CVE-2017-6829 in audiofile
Summary
by MITRE
The decodeSample function in IMA.cpp in Audio File Library (aka audiofile) 0.3.6 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-6829 resides within the Audio File Library version 0.3.6, specifically in the decodeSample function located in the IMA.cpp file. This flaw represents a classic buffer over-read condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to trigger a denial of service scenario. The issue manifests when the library processes maliciously crafted audio files that contain malformed IMA (Adaptive Multi-Rate) compressed data structures. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the decodeSample function, which fails to properly verify the integrity of the sample data before attempting to process it.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when an attacker crafts a specially formatted audio file that contains malformed IMA data structures. When the audiofile library attempts to decode these samples, the decodeSample function reads beyond the allocated memory boundaries, causing the application to crash or terminate unexpectedly. This behavior constitutes a denial of service condition that can be reliably reproduced by sending such malformed files to applications that utilize the affected library. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered remotely through any application that employs the audiofile library for audio file processing, making it a potential vector for widespread disruption.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for applications that depend on the audiofile library for audio processing capabilities. Systems that handle user-uploaded audio content, media streaming services, or any application that processes external audio files become vulnerable to this type of attack. The impact extends beyond simple application crashes to potentially disrupt service availability, especially in environments where audio processing is critical to core operations. The vulnerability affects the availability aspect of the CIA triad, as legitimate users may be unable to access audio processing services due to the crash conditions. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability can be exploited without requiring authentication or specialized privileges, making it particularly dangerous in untrusted environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6829 should focus on immediate remediation through library updates, as the vulnerability has been addressed in subsequent versions of the audiofile library. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization measures for all audio file processing pipelines, including the use of memory-safe programming practices and bounds checking. The implementation of proper error handling and graceful degradation mechanisms can help prevent complete service outages when malformed files are encountered. Additionally, network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for patterns associated with malformed audio file attempts, and application-level sandboxing can provide additional protection layers. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array index, and represents a typical example of how improper input validation can lead to denial of service conditions that can be exploited remotely. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a denial of service attack vector that can be executed through file processing techniques, emphasizing the importance of robust input validation in multimedia processing applications.