CVE-2018-19802 in aubio
Summary
by MITRE
aubio v0.4.0 to v0.4.8 has a Buffer Overflow (issue 2 of 3).
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/28/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19802 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the aubio library version range 0.4.0 through 0.4.8. This audio analysis library is widely utilized for tasks such as pitch detection, tempo estimation, and onset detection in audio processing applications. The buffer overflow occurs due to inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the library's processing functions, specifically affecting how the software handles audio data streams. The flaw manifests when the library receives malformed or excessively large audio buffers that exceed the allocated memory boundaries, potentially leading to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability is particularly concerning as aubio is integrated into numerous audio processing pipelines and multimedia applications, making it a prime target for exploitation in environments where audio data processing is performed.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow stems from improper handling of audio frame data within the library's core processing modules. When audio data is processed, the vulnerable code fails to properly validate the size of incoming data buffers against predetermined limits, allowing attackers to craft malicious audio inputs that trigger memory corruption. The flaw specifically affects the library's ability to manage dynamic buffer allocation for audio processing operations, where the software allocates fixed-size memory blocks to store intermediate audio processing results. This type of vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which describes "Stack-based Buffer Overflow" conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including crafted audio files or real-time audio stream manipulation, making it particularly dangerous in both desktop and embedded audio processing environments.
The operational impact of CVE-2018-19802 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that can compromise entire systems running vulnerable applications. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code within the context of the affected application, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects a broad range of applications that depend on aubio for audio processing, including digital audio workstations, music analysis software, and multimedia applications. In enterprise environments, this could result in unauthorized access to sensitive audio data, system command execution, and potential lateral movement within network infrastructure. The attack surface is particularly wide given that aubio is used in both professional audio software and open-source projects, meaning that exploitation could occur across multiple platforms and operating systems. Security researchers have classified this vulnerability as high-risk due to its potential for remote exploitation and the widespread adoption of the affected library versions.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19802 focus primarily on immediate version upgrades to patched releases of the aubio library, with the most effective solution being the deployment of versions 0.4.9 and later where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper input validation and memory boundary checks. System administrators should conduct comprehensive inventory assessments to identify all applications utilizing vulnerable aubio versions and implement immediate patching procedures. Additional defensive measures include implementing network segmentation to limit access to audio processing systems, deploying intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious audio data patterns, and applying runtime application protection mechanisms to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted audio processing applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in audio processing libraries, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as exploitation may involve command execution through compromised audio processing applications. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure ongoing protection against similar buffer overflow vulnerabilities in audio processing frameworks and multimedia libraries.