CVE-2023-45682 in stb_vorbis
Summary
by MITRE • 10/25/2023
stb_vorbis is a single file MIT licensed library for processing ogg vorbis files. A crafted file may trigger out of bounds read in `DECODE` macro when `var` is negative. As it can be seen in the definition of `DECODE_RAW` a negative `var` is a valid value. This issue may be used to leak internal memory allocation information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2025
The CVE-2023-45682 vulnerability resides within the stb_vorbis library, a widely-used single-file implementation for processing Ogg Vorbis audio files under the MIT license. This library serves as a critical component in numerous applications and systems that handle audio processing, making its security implications particularly significant. The vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds read condition that occurs during the decoding process when the DECODE macro encounters a negative value for the variable 'var'. This specific scenario arises from the legitimate use of negative values within the DECODE_RAW macro definition, which creates a path where memory access operations extend beyond their intended boundaries.
The technical flaw stems from improper bounds checking within the decoding logic where the library fails to validate that the variable 'var' remains within acceptable parameter ranges during audio frame processing. When a maliciously crafted Ogg Vorbis file is processed, the negative value for 'var' triggers memory access patterns that extend beyond allocated buffer boundaries. This memory access violation allows for information disclosure through the leakage of internal memory allocation details that should remain confidential. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-129 as an insufficient validation of length of buffer, and represents a classic case of improper input validation leading to memory safety issues.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple information disclosure, as it can potentially enable attackers to gather sensitive information about the system's memory layout and internal state. This leaked memory information could facilitate more sophisticated attacks by providing insights into heap organization, pointer values, and other internal structures that might be exploited in combination with other vulnerabilities. The vulnerability affects any system or application that utilizes the stb_vorbis library for audio processing, including but not limited to media players, audio editing software, and web applications that handle user-uploaded audio content. The attack vector requires the execution of a maliciously crafted audio file, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users can upload or stream audio content.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate library updates from the maintainers to address the out-of-bounds read condition through proper input validation and bounds checking. System administrators should implement strict file validation procedures for audio content, particularly when processing user-generated media, and consider deploying sandboxing mechanisms to isolate audio processing components. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for execution via scripting and T1566 for initial access through malicious files, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures. Additionally, developers should adopt defensive programming practices including bounds checking, input sanitization, and memory safety validations to prevent similar issues in other components. Regular security audits of third-party libraries and maintaining up-to-date dependencies remain crucial defensive measures against such vulnerabilities.