CVE-2018-19801 in aubio
Summary
by MITRE
aubio v0.4.0 to v0.4.8 has a NULL pointer dereference (issue 1 of 6).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19801 affects the aubio audio processing library version 0.4.0 through 0.4.8, specifically manifesting as a NULL pointer dereference flaw that represents one of six identified issues within this version range. This type of vulnerability occurs when a program attempts to access memory through a pointer that has not been properly initialized or has been set to NULL, leading to a crash or potential exploitation scenario. The aubio library is widely used for audio analysis and processing tasks including pitch detection, onset detection, and beat tracking in various multimedia applications and research environments.
The technical implementation of this NULL pointer dereference stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the library's audio processing functions. When the library processes certain malformed or unexpected audio data streams, particularly during the initialization or processing phases of audio analysis algorithms, the code fails to properly check whether critical pointers have been successfully allocated before attempting to dereference them. This flaw typically occurs in scenarios where the library expects specific audio formats or parameters but receives unexpected input that causes internal pointer variables to remain uninitialized or set to NULL values. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because audio processing libraries often serve as foundational components in multimedia applications, media servers, and audio analysis systems where robust error handling is critical.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, as it can potentially be exploited to cause denial of service attacks or, in more sophisticated scenarios, could provide a foothold for additional exploitation. Systems utilizing vulnerable versions of aubio may experience unexpected termination when processing certain audio inputs, leading to service disruption in applications such as music streaming platforms, audio analysis tools, or multimedia applications that depend on this library. The vulnerability affects not only standalone applications but also integrated systems where aubio is embedded as a component, making the potential attack surface broader than initially apparent. Security researchers have classified this as a medium to high severity issue due to its potential for causing system instability and its prevalence in audio processing workflows.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19801 primarily focus on upgrading to patched versions of the aubio library, with version 0.4.9 and later releases containing the necessary fixes. System administrators and developers should conduct thorough inventory checks to identify all systems utilizing vulnerable versions and implement immediate patching procedures. Additionally, input validation measures should be implemented at application layers that utilize aubio to filter or sanitize audio data before processing, providing an additional defensive barrier. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-476 which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions, and may intersect with ATT&CK techniques related to privilege escalation and denial of service when exploited in targeted environments. Organizations should also consider implementing monitoring and alerting mechanisms to detect unusual application termination patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, while maintaining regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other audio processing components within their technology stack.