CVE-2017-9869 in LAME
Summary
by MITRE
The II_step_one function in layer2.c in mpglib, as used in libmpgdecoder.a in LAME 3.99.5 and other products, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (buffer over-read and application crash) via a crafted audio file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-9869 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within the mpglib library component of LAME 3.99.5 and related software products. This issue manifests specifically within the II_step_one function located in the layer2.c file, which processes MPEG audio layer 2 decoding operations. The flaw enables remote attackers to manipulate audio files in such a way that when the affected library processes these crafted inputs, it executes code that reads beyond allocated memory boundaries, ultimately leading to application crashes and system instability. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management practices within the audio decoding pipeline, creating a pathway for malicious actors to disrupt normal service operations through carefully constructed audio data.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability operates through a classic buffer over-read condition that falls under the CWE-125 weakness category, specifically involving out-of-bounds memory access during audio frame processing. When the II_step_one function processes malformed MPEG layer 2 audio data, it fails to properly validate the size and structure of incoming audio packets before attempting to read from memory locations that extend beyond the allocated buffer space. This condition is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely through network-based audio file delivery, making it exploitable in various contexts including web applications, media servers, and audio processing systems. The vulnerability's impact is amplified by the widespread use of LAME and mpglib across numerous audio processing applications, creating a broad attack surface where a single flaw can affect multiple software products.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-9869 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions, as it can be leveraged to create more sophisticated attack vectors within the broader MITRE ATT&CK framework. Systems utilizing affected software may experience complete service disruption, application crashes, and potential system instability that could be exploited for further compromise. The vulnerability affects any application that relies on libmpgdecoder.a or mpglib for audio processing, including media servers, streaming applications, and multimedia software suites. Organizations running vulnerable systems face significant risk of service interruption, particularly in environments where continuous audio processing is critical, such as broadcast systems, online streaming platforms, and multimedia content management solutions.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected software components, with particular emphasis on updating to LAME versions that include fixed implementations of the mpglib library. System administrators should implement input validation measures to filter potentially malicious audio files before processing, and consider deploying network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable applications to untrusted audio data sources. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual application crash patterns and memory access violations that may indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of proper software supply chain security, as it demonstrates how flaws in widely-used audio processing libraries can create cascading effects across multiple software ecosystems. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems utilizing affected versions of LAME or mpglib, and implement robust software update management processes to prevent similar issues from arising in the future.