CVE-2018-10753 in abcm2ps
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the delayed_output function in music.c in abcm2ps through 8.13.20 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly have unspecified other impact.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-10753 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the abcm2ps software suite, specifically within the delayed_output function located in the music.c source file. This issue affects versions through 8.13.20 and demonstrates a classic software security weakness that can be exploited remotely to compromise system integrity. The abcm2ps utility serves as a music notation converter that transforms abc notation files into various musical formats, making it a potentially widely-used tool in music composition and distribution environments. The vulnerability manifests when the delayed_output function processes input data without proper bounds checking, creating an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from inadequate input validation within the delayed_output function, which operates on musical data structures containing note sequences and timing information. When processing malformed abc notation files, particularly those containing excessively long or malformed note strings, the function fails to verify that input data fits within preallocated buffer boundaries. This condition creates a predictable memory corruption scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite return addresses, stack canaries, or other critical program state information. The vulnerability is classified as a stack-based buffer overflow under CWE-121, which specifically addresses buffer overflow conditions where data is written beyond the bounds of a stack-allocated buffer, leading to potential execution flow manipulation.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for systems utilizing abcm2ps for music file processing, particularly in environments where users can submit arbitrary abc notation files. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw to cause application crashes, resulting in denial of service conditions that disrupt legitimate user operations and potentially impact automated processing pipelines. The vulnerability's potential for unspecified other impacts suggests that in certain exploitation scenarios, attackers might be able to execute arbitrary code or manipulate program behavior beyond simple crash conditions. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in web applications or services that accept user uploads and process them through abcm2ps, as it could enable complete system compromise. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a code injection technique under T1059, where the buffer overflow serves as a precursor to more sophisticated exploitation methods.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-10753 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions that address the buffer overflow condition through proper input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement input sanitization measures that validate all abc notation file content before processing, particularly focusing on length constraints and malformed data patterns that could trigger the vulnerable function. Network segmentation and access controls should limit exposure to systems running abcm2ps, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect abnormal application behavior or crash patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing address space layout randomization and stack canary protections can provide defense-in-depth measures against exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for any file processing operations involving abcm2ps to contain potential exploitation impacts and prevent lateral movement within compromised systems.