CVE-2026-29022 in dr_libs
Summary
by MITRE • 03/03/2026
dr_libs dr_wav.h version 0.14.4 and earlier (fixed in commit 8a7258c) contain a heap buffer overflow vulnerability in the drwav__read_smpl_to_metadata_obj() function of dr_wav.h that allows memory corruption via crafted WAV files. Attackers can exploit a mismatch between sampleLoopCount validation in pass 1 and unconditional processing in pass 2 to overflow heap allocations with 36 bytes of attacker-controlled data through any drwav_init_*_with_metadata() call on untrusted input.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/20/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2026-29022 affects the dr_libs library version 0.14.4 and earlier, specifically within the dr_wav.h header file. This issue represents a heap buffer overflow that occurs during the processing of WAV audio files, making it particularly dangerous in environments where untrusted audio content is handled. The vulnerability exists in the drwav__read_smpl_to_metadata_obj() function which processes loop information contained within WAV files, creating a critical security risk when processing maliciously crafted audio data.
The technical flaw stems from an inconsistent validation approach between two processing passes within the WAV file parsing logic. During the first pass, the function validates the sampleLoopCount parameter which determines how many loop entries should be processed, but this validation does not account for the actual memory allocation that occurs during the second pass. The second pass proceeds unconditionally to process all loop entries without revalidating the count against the allocated buffer size, allowing an attacker to craft WAV files that contain more loop entries than the allocated memory can accommodate. This mismatch creates a situation where 36 bytes of attacker-controlled data can be written beyond the bounds of heap-allocated memory, resulting in memory corruption that can lead to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, as it provides attackers with a potential path to execute arbitrary code on systems that process untrusted audio content. Any application that utilizes the drwav_init_*_with_metadata() functions to parse WAV files becomes vulnerable to this attack vector, particularly affecting multimedia applications, audio processing software, and systems that automatically handle user-uploaded audio files. The vulnerability is especially concerning in web applications and content management systems where users can upload audio files, as these environments often lack proper input validation and sanitization mechanisms.
The root cause of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows writing beyond allocated memory. This issue also maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities to execute malicious code. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices where the system assumes that the data structure validation in the first pass will adequately protect against buffer overflows in subsequent processing stages. Security researchers should note that this vulnerability could be exploited through various attack vectors including web browsers, media players, and audio editing applications that rely on the affected library version.
The recommended mitigation strategy involves immediate upgrading to the fixed version that includes commit 8a7258c, which corrects the validation logic to ensure consistent bounds checking between both processing passes. Additionally, applications should implement defensive programming practices such as validating all input parameters before processing, implementing proper bounds checking for dynamic memory allocations, and employing memory safety techniques like address sanitization. Organizations should also consider deploying runtime protections and monitoring systems that can detect anomalous memory access patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The fix demonstrates the importance of maintaining consistent validation logic across all processing stages and highlights the critical need for thorough testing of edge cases in multimedia processing libraries.