CVE-2023-28537 in 315 5G IoT Modem
Summary
by MITRE • 08/08/2023
Memory corruption while allocating memory in COmxApeDec module in Audio.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/24/2026
The vulnerability described involves a memory corruption issue within the ComxApeDec module of audio processing components, representing a critical security flaw that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. This type of vulnerability typically arises from improper memory management practices during the allocation process, where the module fails to validate input parameters or handle memory boundaries correctly. The ComxApeDec module specifically handles audio decompression operations for ape format files, making it a potential attack surface for malicious actors seeking to exploit memory corruption vulnerabilities in audio processing pipelines.
Memory corruption vulnerabilities in audio processing modules often stem from inadequate bounds checking, improper buffer management, or failure to validate file headers and metadata before processing. The issue manifests when the module attempts to allocate memory for decompressed audio data without sufficient validation of input parameters such as file size, frame dimensions, or compression parameters. This flaw can be exploited through specially crafted audio files that cause the module to allocate insufficient memory or overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially leading to stack or heap corruption. Such vulnerabilities are particularly dangerous in multimedia processing contexts where applications often handle untrusted input from external sources without proper sanitization.
The operational impact of this memory corruption vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes or hangs, as it can enable remote code execution or privilege escalation depending on the system architecture and execution context. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by delivering malicious audio files that trigger the vulnerable code path during decompression operations, potentially allowing them to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability affects systems that process ape format audio files through the ComxApeDec module, which may include media players, audio processing frameworks, or multimedia applications across various platforms. This represents a significant risk in environments where users might encounter untrusted audio content or where applications automatically process media files from external sources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of the affected module and implementation of robust memory management practices throughout the audio processing pipeline. Organizations should prioritize updating their audio processing libraries and frameworks to versions that address the memory allocation flaw, while also implementing input validation mechanisms that verify file integrity and parameter boundaries before processing. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-122 Heap-based Buffer Overflow and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, both of which are commonly exploited in multimedia processing components. Defense-in-depth approaches should include runtime protections such as address space layout randomization, stack canaries, and memory corruption detection mechanisms to reduce the exploitability of such vulnerabilities. Additionally, implementing strict file format validation and sandboxing of audio processing operations can significantly reduce the attack surface and limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.