CVE-2017-11547 : Vulnerability Insights and Analysis

TiMidity++ 2.14.0 allows remote attackers to trigger a denial of service through a crafted mid file. The vulnerability lies in the resample_gauss function in resample.c, potentially leading to a heap-based buffer over-read. This CVE was made public on July 31, 2017.

Understanding CVE-2017-11547

What is CVE-2017-11547?

CVE-2017-11547 is a vulnerability in TiMidity++ 2.14.0 that can be exploited by remote attackers to cause a denial of service by utilizing a specially crafted mid file.

The Impact of CVE-2017-11547

The vulnerability in TiMidity++ 2.14.0 can result in a heap-based buffer over-read, potentially leading to a denial of service. Enabling the --background option may also trigger a crash. Moreover, the TiMidity++ README.alsaseq documentation recommends a setuid-root installation.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-11547

Vulnerability Description

The issue resides in the resample_gauss function in resample.c of TiMidity++ 2.14.0, allowing remote attackers to exploit a heap-based buffer over-read via a crafted mid file.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: TiMidity++ 2.14.0
Vendor: N/A
Version: N/A

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by remote attackers using a specially crafted mid file, potentially leading to a denial of service.

Mitigation and Prevention

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable the affected functionality if possible
Implement proper input validation mechanisms
Monitor and restrict network traffic to affected systems

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update and patch software to mitigate known vulnerabilities
Conduct security assessments and audits periodically
Educate users on safe computing practices

Patching and Updates

Ensure that TiMidity++ is updated to a patched version that addresses the vulnerability.