CVE-2020-37171 in TapinRadio
Summary
by MITRE • 02/07/2026
TapinRadio 2.12.3 contains a denial of service vulnerability in the application proxy username configuration that allows local attackers to crash the application. Attackers can overwrite the username field with 10,000 bytes of arbitrary data to trigger an application crash and prevent normal program functionality.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/19/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2020-37171 affects TapinRadio version 2.12.3 and represents a denial of service condition stemming from inadequate input validation within the application proxy username configuration component. This flaw exists in the software's handling of user-provided data during proxy configuration setup, where the application fails to properly sanitize or limit the length of input supplied to the username field. The vulnerability is classified as a local attack vector, meaning that an attacker must already have access to the system to exploit this weakness, typically through legitimate user credentials or system access privileges. The specific technical implementation flaw manifests when an attacker provides a username field containing exactly 10,000 bytes of arbitrary data, which triggers an application crash and subsequent denial of service condition. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-129, which addresses insufficient input validation, and more specifically aligns with CWE-770, concerning allocation of resources without limits or with inadequate limits. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and represents a classic buffer overflow or input length manipulation attack pattern that has been documented in various software applications over the years.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application instability to create a significant disruption in normal program functionality. When the application crashes due to the excessive data input, users lose access to the radio streaming capabilities that TapinRadio provides, effectively rendering the software unusable until the application is manually restarted or the system is rebooted. This denial of service condition affects all users of the affected version and can be particularly problematic in environments where the application is used for critical operations or where automatic restart mechanisms are not in place. The vulnerability demonstrates a fundamental flaw in the software's defensive programming practices, where proper bounds checking and input sanitization procedures are either absent or insufficiently implemented. From an attacker's perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact method of service disruption, requiring minimal technical skill to execute while potentially causing significant operational inconvenience. The attack can be easily automated and repeated, making it particularly dangerous in scenarios where the application might be running continuously or where multiple users could be affected simultaneously.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on both immediate defensive measures and long-term architectural improvements. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to a patched version of TapinRadio that properly validates and limits input lengths for all configuration fields, particularly those related to proxy settings. System administrators should implement input validation controls at multiple levels, including application-level sanitization, network-level filtering, and user access controls to limit who can modify proxy configurations. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing proper error handling and graceful degradation mechanisms within applications, ensuring that malformed input does not cause complete application failure. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting or sandboxing techniques to limit the potential impact of such vulnerabilities, while also establishing monitoring systems to detect unusual input patterns that might indicate attempted exploitation. From a cybersecurity maturity perspective, this vulnerability demonstrates the need for comprehensive input validation testing during software development lifecycle processes and adherence to secure coding practices that prevent buffer overflows and resource exhaustion conditions. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this type of vulnerability under T1499, which encompasses network denial of service attacks, while the technique of input manipulation specifically relates to T1203, where adversaries manipulate application inputs to achieve system instability. Regular security assessments and penetration testing should include validation of input handling mechanisms to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components that might not have been previously discovered.