CVE-2017-8870 in AudioCoder
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in AudioCoder 0.8.46 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted .m3u file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-8870 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within AudioCoder version 0.8.46 that exposes systems to remote code execution risks. This issue manifests specifically when the affected media player processes maliciously crafted .m3u playlist files, which are commonly used to organize and stream audio content. The buffer overflow occurs during the parsing of these playlist files, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious payload data. Such vulnerabilities fall under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which classifies buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient bounds checking permits writing beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The flaw exists in the application's handling of playlist metadata and file path specifications within the .m3u format, creating a pathway for attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code on vulnerable systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple exploitation as it enables attackers to gain full control over affected systems without requiring local access or authentication. When a user opens a maliciously crafted .m3u file, the buffer overflow corrupts memory structures and potentially redirects program execution flow to malicious code injected by the attacker. This type of vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers the execution of malicious code through command and scripting interpreters, and T1203, which addresses the exploitation of software vulnerabilities for remote code execution. The attack vector is particularly concerning because .m3u files are commonly shared through email attachments, malicious websites, or social engineering campaigns, making the exploitation surface wide and accessible to both skilled and less technical threat actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-8870 require immediate patching of the AudioCoder application to version 0.8.47 or later, which contains the necessary memory bounds checking and input validation fixes. System administrators should implement network-based controls such as firewall rules that restrict access to known malicious domains and file sharing services that could distribute compromised .m3u files. Additionally, endpoint protection measures including application whitelisting should be deployed to prevent execution of untrusted .m3u files and restrict the application's ability to process external media inputs. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual file access patterns and memory allocation behaviors that might indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for media file processing and establish robust incident response procedures to address potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in multimedia applications, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity frameworks for preventing buffer overflow attacks through defensive programming techniques and runtime protections.