CVE-2017-6838 in audiofile
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in sfcommands/sfconvert.c 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-2017-6838 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the Audio File Library version 0.3.6, specifically within the sfcommands/sfconvert.c module. This issue manifests when processing maliciously crafted audio files that exploit a mathematical overflow condition in the library's handling of integer values during file conversion operations. The flaw occurs during the parsing and conversion of audio file formats, where the library fails to properly validate integer inputs that exceed the maximum representable value for the data type being used. This vulnerability falls under the category of CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented weakness in software systems where integer arithmetic operations produce results that exceed the maximum value that can be stored in the designated data type. The affected Audio File Library is widely used in various multimedia applications and operating systems for audio file processing, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for system administrators and security professionals.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can be exploited by remote attackers to crash applications that utilize the audiofile library. When a malicious file is processed, the integer overflow causes the application to behave unpredictably, often resulting in segmentation faults or memory corruption that leads to application termination. This crash can be leveraged in a broader attack context to disrupt services or potentially escalate to more severe exploits if the vulnerable application has elevated privileges or is part of a larger attack chain. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the target system, as they can deliver malicious audio files through various network channels such as email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and T1499.004 for Endpoint Denial of Service, as it enables attackers to cause system disruptions through crafted input manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-6838 should focus on immediate patching of the audiofile library to version 0.3.7 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the integer overflow condition. System administrators should implement comprehensive input validation measures for all audio file processing applications, particularly those that handle untrusted content from external sources. Network segmentation and application whitelisting can provide additional layers of protection by limiting the exposure of vulnerable applications to untrusted network traffic. Organizations should also consider implementing automated monitoring and alerting systems to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual application behavior or crash patterns. The fix implemented in the updated library version addresses the root cause by introducing proper integer overflow checks and bounds validation during file processing operations. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all systems that utilize the audiofile library to ensure complete remediation and prevent potential exploitation through other related vulnerabilities in the same codebase.