CVE-2018-19661 in libsndfile
Summary
by MITRE
An issue was discovered in libsndfile 1.0.28. There is a buffer over-read in the function i2ulaw_array in ulaw.c that will lead to a denial of service.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/12/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19661 resides within the libsndfile library version 1.0.28, a widely used open-source library for reading and writing audio files across multiple formats. This library serves as a critical component in numerous multimedia applications, audio processing tools, and software systems that handle audio data. The flaw manifests as a buffer over-read condition that occurs within the i2ulaw_array function located in the ulaw.c source file, which is responsible for converting linear audio samples to ulaw encoding format. The issue represents a classic memory safety vulnerability that can potentially be exploited to disrupt system operations or cause application crashes.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the i2ulaw_array function where the code fails to validate array access limits when processing audio data. Specifically, when the function processes audio samples intended for ulaw encoding, it reads beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially accessing memory locations that do not belong to the intended data structure. This over-read condition can result in the program reading uninitialized memory contents or memory that has been freed, leading to unpredictable behavior. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because ulaw encoding is commonly used in telephony and audio compression applications, making the affected library prevalent in critical systems.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates a significant risk for denial of service conditions within applications that utilize libsndfile for audio processing. When exploited, the buffer over-read can cause applications to crash or become unresponsive, effectively rendering them unusable for legitimate users. The impact extends beyond individual applications to affect entire systems that depend on audio processing capabilities, particularly in server environments or embedded systems where audio handling is a core function. Attackers could potentially craft malicious audio files that trigger this vulnerability when processed by vulnerable applications, leading to systematic service disruption.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes "Out-of-bounds Read" conditions where programs access memory locations beyond the boundaries of allocated buffers. This classification indicates that the flaw represents a fundamental memory safety issue that can lead to various security consequences including information disclosure, privilege escalation, or system compromise. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1203, which involves the exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain unauthorized access or cause system instability. Organizations using libsndfile in their systems should prioritize immediate patching and implementation of input validation measures to prevent exploitation. The recommended mitigation strategy includes upgrading to libsndfile version 1.0.29 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this buffer over-read condition, along with comprehensive testing of audio processing workflows to ensure that no other similar vulnerabilities exist within the application stack.