CVE-2019-15151 in AdPlug
Summary
by MITRE
AdPlug 2.3.1 has a double free in the Cu6mPlayer class in u6m.h.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/26/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-15151 resides within AdPlug version 2.3.1, specifically within the Cu6mPlayer class implementation in the u6m.h file. This represents a critical memory management flaw that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The double free vulnerability occurs when the same memory block is freed twice during program execution, which can result in memory corruption and unpredictable behavior.
This vulnerability falls under the CWE-415 category of double free conditions, which is a well-documented memory safety issue in software development. The flaw manifests when the Cu6mPlayer class processes certain audio file formats, particularly those related to the u6m format, where improper memory deallocation occurs during the handling of malformed input data. The vulnerability is classified as a heap-based memory corruption issue that can be exploited through crafted input files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, as it provides potential attackers with opportunities to execute malicious code on affected systems. When exploited, the double free condition can be leveraged to manipulate heap memory structures, potentially leading to privilege escalation or denial of service attacks. Systems that utilize AdPlug for audio playback or music file processing are at risk, particularly those that automatically process user-uploaded content or handle untrusted audio files from external sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-15151 should prioritize immediate patching of the AdPlug library to version 2.3.2 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should implement strict input validation for all audio file processing operations and consider deploying runtime protections such as address space layout randomization and stack canaries. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation could enable attackers to execute arbitrary code through compromised audio processing applications. Additionally, security teams should monitor for potential exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and implement proper access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems to untrusted inputs.