CVE-2017-6834 in audiofile
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the ulaw2linear_buf function in G711.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-2017-6834 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within the Audio File Library version 0.3.6, specifically affecting the ulaw2linear_buf function in the G711.cpp source file. This vulnerability exposes the library to remote exploitation where maliciously crafted audio files can trigger a denial of service condition resulting in application crashes. The issue stems from insufficient bounds checking during the conversion process between u-law and linear audio formats, which are commonly used in telephony and VoIP applications. The buffer overflow occurs when the function processes input data without proper validation of the buffer boundaries, allowing an attacker to write beyond allocated memory space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checking permits writing beyond allocated buffer space. The flaw operates at the memory management level where the ulaw2linear_buf function fails to validate input parameters against expected buffer dimensions, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the technique of 'Exploitation for Privilege Escalation' where a remote attacker can cause system instability through memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service as it can be exploited in various contexts where audio file processing is performed. Applications utilizing the audiofile library for audio format conversion, telephony systems, VoIP implementations, and multimedia processing platforms become susceptible to crashes when processing maliciously crafted audio files. The remote nature of the attack means that an attacker does not require physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where audio files are processed automatically. This vulnerability can be particularly problematic in automated systems where audio file ingestion occurs without proper validation, potentially leading to cascading failures in larger systems that depend on audio processing capabilities.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6834 should prioritize immediate patching of the audiofile library to version 0.3.7 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement input validation measures that sanitize audio file inputs before processing, particularly focusing on u-law and linear format conversions. Additional defensive measures include deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious audio file patterns and implementing memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security assessments and code reviews for multimedia processing libraries, as similar issues may exist in other audio format conversion functions within the same codebase. System administrators should monitor for any unauthorized access attempts targeting audio processing services and maintain up-to-date security patches across all systems utilizing affected libraries.