CVE-2019-7577 in Simple DirectMedia Layer
Summary
by MITRE
SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer) through 1.2.15 and 2.x through 2.0.9 has a buffer over-read in SDL_LoadWAV_RW in audio/SDL_wave.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/09/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2019-7577 represents a critical buffer over-read flaw within the Simple DirectMedia Layer library, a widely-used cross-platform development library for multimedia applications. This issue affects both the 1.2.15 version and the 2.0.9 version of the SDL library, making it a long-standing problem that has persisted across multiple major releases. The vulnerability specifically resides in the SDL_LoadWAV_RW function located within the audio/SDL_wave.c file, which is responsible for loading WAV audio files in the library's audio subsystem. The flaw occurs when processing malformed or specially crafted WAV file headers, creating conditions where the application attempts to read memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and boundary checking within the WAV file parsing routine. When SDL_LoadWAV_RW encounters a WAV file with malformed header information or unexpected data structures, the function fails to properly validate buffer limits before performing memory reads. This buffer over-read condition can lead to several security implications including information disclosure, application crashes, or potentially more severe consequences depending on the memory layout and execution context. The vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds read conditions in software implementations, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through command and scripting interpreter, as exploitation could occur through malicious file execution paths.
The operational impact of CVE-2019-7577 extends across numerous applications and systems that utilize SDL for multimedia functionality, including games, multimedia players, and various software applications that rely on audio processing capabilities. Any application that loads WAV files through the SDL library becomes potentially vulnerable to this over-read condition, creating a broad attack surface that could be exploited by malicious actors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it can be triggered through user interaction with audio files, making it suitable for social engineering attacks where users might unknowingly trigger the exploit by opening maliciously crafted WAV files. This makes the vulnerability highly relevant to both desktop applications and mobile software that depend on SDL for audio handling.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2019-7577 primarily focus on updating to patched versions of the SDL library, with the 1.2.16 and 2.0.10 releases specifically addressing this issue. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all applications utilizing affected SDL versions and prioritize patching efforts accordingly. Additionally, implementing proper input validation measures at application layers can provide defense-in-depth protection, though this approach is less reliable than the official library updates. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory access patterns and application crashes that might indicate exploitation attempts. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized audio processing applications, and maintain regular patch management procedures to ensure all SDL dependencies remain current with security updates. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of thorough input validation in multimedia libraries and highlights the need for consistent security practices throughout the software development lifecycle to prevent similar issues in the future.