CVE-2026-51275 in ESP32-audioI2S
Summary
by MITRE • 07/28/2026
In schreibfaul1 ESP32-audioI2S 3.4.5, a heap-based buffer overflow in the ID3v2 APIC frame parsing function in audiolib allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted MP3 file. The vulnerability exists due to missing length validation when processing the APIC frame size field, leading to an out-of-bounds memory write.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/28/2026
The vulnerability identified in schreibfaul1 ESP32-audioI2S version 3.4.5 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow that fundamentally compromises the security and stability of audio processing systems. This issue resides within the ID3v2 APIC frame parsing functionality of the audiolib component, where the software fails to properly validate the size field of APIC frames during MP3 file processing. The absence of proper input validation creates a dangerous condition where maliciously crafted MP3 files can trigger memory corruption, potentially allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause system crashes.
The technical flaw manifests through insufficient bounds checking when parsing the APIC frame size field in ID3v2 metadata structures. When an attacker constructs a specially formatted MP3 file containing a malformed APIC frame with an oversized size indicator, the audio library attempts to allocate memory based on this invalid size value and subsequently writes data beyond the allocated heap buffer boundaries. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-122 Heap-based Buffer Overflow, which occurs when a program writes more data to a heap buffer than it can hold, typically due to inadequate validation of input parameters before memory allocation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system instability to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities that could be exploited in various attack scenarios. An attacker could remotely upload or deliver a crafted MP3 file that, when processed by the vulnerable audio library, triggers the buffer overflow condition. This presents significant risks for embedded systems and IoT devices running ESP32 microcontrollers where audio processing is enabled, as these systems often operate with limited security controls and may be accessible over network interfaces. The vulnerability could enable attackers to gain unauthorized control of affected devices or cause persistent denial of service conditions that disrupt legitimate audio processing operations.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate software updates to the affected ESP32-audioI2S library version 3.4.6 or later, which includes proper bounds checking for APIC frame size fields. System administrators should implement strict input validation measures and consider network-level filtering of MP3 file uploads to prevent potentially malicious content from reaching vulnerable systems. Additionally, deploying memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization could help reduce the exploitability of similar vulnerabilities in the broader codebase. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their embedded audio processing systems to identify other potential buffer overflow conditions that may exist within related components, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution through vulnerable input handling mechanisms.
The vulnerability demonstrates how metadata parsing functions in multimedia libraries can become attack vectors when proper security controls are absent from the development lifecycle. This case highlights the importance of implementing robust input validation and bounds checking mechanisms, particularly in embedded systems where resource constraints may lead to insufficient security measures. The issue serves as a reminder that even seemingly benign functionality like audio metadata processing can represent critical security risks when not properly secured against malformed inputs, emphasizing the need for comprehensive security testing throughout all phases of software development according to industry standards and best practices.