CVE-2017-9259 in Soundtouch
Summary
by MITRE
The TDStretch::acceptNewOverlapLength function in source/SoundTouch/TDStretch.cpp in SoundTouch 1.9.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (memory allocation error and application crash) via a crafted wav file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/23/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9259 resides within the SoundTouch audio processing library version 1.9.2, specifically within the TDStretch::acceptNewOverlapLength function located in source/SoundTouch/TDStretch.cpp. This flaw represents a classic denial of service vulnerability that can be exploited through maliciously crafted wav files, potentially compromising the stability and availability of applications that utilize this audio processing library. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the audio processing pipeline, where the library fails to properly handle malformed audio data during the time-stretching process.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the TDStretch class's overlap length acceptance mechanism, which processes audio frames during time-stretching operations. When a crafted wav file is processed, the function fails to validate the overlap length parameters properly, leading to excessive memory allocation requests or invalid memory operations that ultimately result in application crashes. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, Input Validation, and CWE-787, Out-of-bounds Write, as the function does not properly validate the boundaries of memory allocations or input parameters. The flaw operates by manipulating the audio file's metadata or audio frame structure to trigger an unexpected code path that results in memory corruption or allocation failures.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risk to any application that integrates SoundTouch for audio processing, particularly media players, audio editing software, and streaming services. The impact extends beyond simple application crashes to potential system instability, as the memory allocation errors can cause cascading failures in memory management systems. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by preparing specially crafted wav files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, will trigger the memory allocation error and subsequent crash. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where automated processing of user-uploaded audio content occurs, as it can be used to systematically disrupt service availability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-9259 should focus on immediate library updates to versions that address the memory handling issues in the TDStretch::acceptNewOverlapLength function. Organizations should implement input validation layers that preprocess audio files to detect and reject malformed inputs before they reach the SoundTouch library. Additionally, application-level sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms can help contain the impact of such vulnerabilities. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a denial of service attack through resource exhaustion, and defensive measures should include monitoring for unusual memory allocation patterns and implementing proper error handling and graceful degradation mechanisms. System administrators should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts and maintain regular patch management schedules to ensure all instances of SoundTouch are updated to secure versions.