CVE-2018-13419 in libsndfile
Summary
by MITRE
An issue has been found in libsndfile 1.0.28. There is a memory leak in psf_allocate in common.c, as demonstrated by sndfile-convert.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13419 represents a critical memory management flaw within the libsndfile library version 1.0.28. This issue manifests as a memory leak in the psf_allocate function located within the common.c source file, affecting applications that utilize the sndfile-convert utility for audio file processing. The libsndfile library serves as a comprehensive audio file format library that supports numerous audio formats including wav, aiff, and flac, making it a widely deployed component in audio processing applications across various operating systems and platforms. The memory leak occurs during the allocation process when the library fails to properly release memory resources after they have been allocated for audio file handling operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory deallocation within the psf_allocate function, which is responsible for managing memory allocation for audio file structures and data buffers. When applications invoke the sndfile-convert utility or other components that rely on libsndfile's memory management functions, the psf_allocate routine allocates memory blocks to store audio data but fails to consistently free these allocations during program execution. This memory leak pattern can be particularly problematic in long-running applications or when processing multiple audio files sequentially, as the accumulated unused memory consumption progressively degrades system performance and can eventually lead to resource exhaustion. The vulnerability specifically impacts the common.c file which contains core memory management routines that are fundamental to the library's operation and are utilized across various audio processing workflows.
The operational impact of this memory leak extends beyond simple resource consumption issues to potentially compromise system stability and application reliability. When applications utilizing libsndfile repeatedly process audio files without proper memory cleanup, the cumulative effect of leaked memory can result in significant performance degradation, application crashes, or system instability. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in server environments or embedded systems where memory resources are constrained and applications must maintain long-term operation. The leak can be exploited by attackers who might intentionally trigger repeated audio file processing operations to consume available memory resources, potentially leading to denial of service conditions. Additionally, the vulnerability affects not only the sndfile-convert utility but any application that directly or indirectly uses the libsndfile library's memory allocation mechanisms, making it a widespread concern across the software ecosystem that relies on this audio processing library.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-401, which specifically addresses memory leaks in software systems, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1499.001 for resource exhaustion attacks. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to libsndfile version 1.0.29 or later, which contains the patched psf_allocate function that properly manages memory deallocation. System administrators should also monitor memory usage patterns in applications that utilize libsndfile, particularly those processing audio files regularly. The recommended remediation strategy involves thorough code review of memory allocation patterns within the library and implementing proper error handling to ensure all allocated memory is consistently freed. Additionally, automated memory leak detection tools should be integrated into development and testing workflows to identify similar issues before deployment. Organizations using vulnerable versions should also consider implementing application-level memory monitoring and alerting systems to detect potential exploitation attempts through resource exhaustion attacks, as this vulnerability could be leveraged in broader attack scenarios targeting system stability and availability.