CVE-2018-10540 in Wavpack
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in WavPack 5.1.0 and earlier for W64 input. Out-of-bounds writes can occur because ParseWave64HeaderConfig in wave64.c does not validate the sizes of unknown chunks before attempting memory allocation, related to a lack of integer-overflow protection within a bytes_to_copy calculation and subsequent malloc call, leading to insufficient memory allocation.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10540 represents a critical out-of-bounds write flaw in WavPack version 5.1.0 and earlier implementations specifically affecting W64 input processing. This issue stems from inadequate input validation within the ParseWave64HeaderConfig function located in wave64.c, where the software fails to properly validate the sizes of unknown chunks before proceeding with memory allocation operations. The flaw manifests when the application attempts to process malformed Wave64 files that contain oversized or malformed chunk headers, creating a scenario where the calculated memory requirements for allocation become invalid due to missing integer overflow protections. The vulnerability specifically occurs during the bytes_to_copy calculation phase, where arithmetic operations do not adequately check for overflow conditions before determining the memory allocation size. This calculation error directly impacts the subsequent malloc call, resulting in insufficient memory allocation that subsequently leads to out-of-bounds memory writes when the application attempts to populate the allocated buffer with data from the malformed input. The flaw falls under CWE-129, which addresses insufficient validation of length of inputs, and more specifically relates to CWE-787, which deals with out-of-bounds write conditions. From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for systems processing audio files through WavPack, as attackers could craft malicious Wave64 files designed to trigger the out-of-bounds write condition. The attack vector requires the target system to process a specially crafted W64 file, making it particularly dangerous in environments where automated processing or file handling occurs without proper input sanitization. The vulnerability can potentially lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability, as memory corruption from the out-of-bounds write can overwrite critical program data or execution flow control structures. This flaw aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploiting input validation vulnerabilities to achieve code execution through memory corruption attacks. The impact extends beyond simple denial-of-service scenarios, as the memory corruption could be leveraged by attackers to execute malicious code within the context of the vulnerable application, making this a particularly concerning vulnerability for multimedia processing systems and audio file handling applications. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic example of how integer overflow protection deficiencies in memory allocation calculations can lead to severe security consequences, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive input validation and robust memory management practices in multimedia processing libraries. Organizations using WavPack versions prior to 5.1.1 should immediately implement mitigation strategies including updating to patched versions, implementing input validation measures, and deploying additional security controls to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability in production environments.