CVE-2018-19841 in Wavpack
Summary
by MITRE
The function WavpackVerifySingleBlock in open_utils.c in libwavpack.a in WavPack through 5.1.0 allows attackers to cause a denial-of-service (out-of-bounds read and application crash) via a crafted WavPack Lossless Audio file, as demonstrated by wvunpack.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-19841 represents a critical out-of-bounds read condition within the WavPack audio processing library that affects versions through 5.1.0. This flaw exists in the WavpackVerifySingleBlock function located in the open_utils.c file of the libwavpack.a library, specifically impacting the wvunpack utility that processes WavPack Lossless Audio files. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and boundary checking mechanisms within the audio file parsing logic, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted WavPack files can trigger memory access violations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a failure to properly validate the structure and boundaries of WavPack audio blocks during the verification process. When the WavpackVerifySingleBlock function processes a malformed WavPack file, it attempts to read memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in an out-of-bounds read condition. This memory access violation causes the application to crash and terminate unexpectedly, effectively enabling a denial-of-service attack against systems processing these audio files. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through simple file manipulation without requiring any special privileges or complex attack vectors.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risks for systems that process WavPack audio files automatically, including media servers, audio processing pipelines, and content management systems. The denial-of-service condition can be triggered by simply presenting a maliciously crafted file to any application using the vulnerable libwavpack library, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to disrupt audio processing services. The vulnerability affects not only the wvunpack utility but potentially any application that relies on the WavPack library for audio file validation or processing, creating a wide attack surface across various media processing environments.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125 Out-of-bounds Read, which is classified as a common weakness in software security that occurs when an application reads memory beyond the boundaries of a buffer. This weakness is particularly dangerous in audio processing applications where file parsing routines must handle potentially malformed input from untrusted sources. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a Denial of Service technique under the T1499 sub-technique, specifically targeting application stability through memory corruption vulnerabilities. Organizations using vulnerable versions of WavPack should prioritize immediate patching and implementation of input validation controls to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-19841 should include immediate upgrade to WavPack version 5.1.1 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the out-of-bounds read condition. Additionally, organizations should implement defensive programming practices such as input validation, boundary checking, and memory safety mechanisms in applications that process audio files. System administrators should also consider implementing file type validation and sandboxing techniques for audio file processing to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potentially vulnerable components in audio processing stacks, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.