CVE-2017-17554 : Exploit Details and Defense Strategies

A vulnerability regarding a NULL pointer dereference (DoS) has been discovered in the function aubio_source_avcodec_readframe located in the file io/source_avcodec.c of aubio version 0.4.6. This vulnerability has the potential to result in a denial of service (DoS) when playing an intentionally manipulated audio file.

Understanding CVE-2017-17554

This CVE identifies a specific vulnerability in the aubio library that could lead to a denial of service attack when processing certain audio files.

What is CVE-2017-17554?

The CVE-2017-17554 vulnerability is a NULL pointer dereference issue found in the aubio library's function aubio_source_avcodec_readframe. This vulnerability can be exploited to cause a denial of service condition by playing a specially crafted audio file.

The Impact of CVE-2017-17554

The impact of this vulnerability is the potential for an attacker to disrupt the normal operation of systems that utilize the affected aubio library. By exploiting this vulnerability, an attacker could cause a denial of service, rendering the system unresponsive.

Technical Details of CVE-2017-17554

This section provides more technical insights into the CVE-2017-17554 vulnerability.

Vulnerability Description

The vulnerability involves a NULL pointer dereference issue in the aubio library's function aubio_source_avcodec_readframe, specifically located in the file io/source_avcodec.c of aubio version 0.4.6.

Affected Systems and Versions

Affected System: Systems utilizing the aubio library
Affected Version: aubio version 0.4.6

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability can be exploited by an attacker by providing a specially crafted audio file to trigger the NULL pointer dereference issue, leading to a denial of service condition.

Mitigation and Prevention

Protecting systems from CVE-2017-17554 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices.

Immediate Steps to Take

Update to a patched version of the aubio library that addresses the NULL pointer dereference vulnerability.
Avoid opening or playing untrusted or suspicious audio files.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to ensure the latest security patches are applied.
Implement network and system monitoring to detect and respond to potential attacks.

Patching and Updates

Ensure that all systems using the aubio library are updated to a version that includes a fix for the CVE-2017-17554 vulnerability.