CVE-2020-29244 in Tag
Summary
by MITRE • 12/28/2020
dhowden tag before 2020-11-19 allows "panic: runtime error: slice bounds out of range" via readTextWithDescrFrame.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/28/2026
The vulnerability in dhowden tag versions prior to 2020-11-19 represents a critical runtime error condition that manifests as a "panic: runtime error: slice bounds out of range" during the execution of the readTextWithDescrFrame function. This issue stems from inadequate input validation and boundary checking within the text processing routines that handle descriptive frame data structures. The flaw occurs when the application attempts to access memory segments beyond the allocated array boundaries while parsing textual content within metadata frames, creating a potential crash condition that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability resides in the improper handling of string slicing operations within the readTextWithDescrFrame function where the code fails to validate array indices before accessing memory locations. This type of error falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, specifically addressing insufficient validation of array index values which leads to out-of-bounds memory access. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through crafted input data that manipulates the expected frame structure during text processing operations, potentially causing the application to terminate unexpectedly and disrupting normal service operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk exposure for systems relying on dhowden tag library for audio metadata processing. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious audio files with malformed descriptive frames that trigger the slice bounds error during parsing. The resulting panic condition can lead to denial of service scenarios where legitimate users cannot access or process audio files, while also potentially providing attackers with opportunities to gather system information through crash analysis or use it as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks. This vulnerability directly maps to attack techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1499 for network denial of service and T1059 for command and control communications.
The recommended mitigation strategies include implementing comprehensive input validation procedures that verify all array indices before memory access operations, applying proper bounds checking mechanisms within the readTextWithDescrFrame function, and upgrading to the patched version released on or after 2020-11-19. Additionally, developers should implement defensive programming practices including zero-value initialization for arrays, bounds verification routines, and comprehensive error handling that prevents panic conditions from propagating to production systems. Organizations should also consider implementing automated input sanitization processes that can detect and reject malformed frame structures before they reach the vulnerable parsing functions, thereby reducing the attack surface and improving overall system resilience against similar memory corruption vulnerabilities.