CVE-2019-18796 Explained : Impact and Mitigation

BASS Audio Library 2.4.14 for Windows is vulnerable to a BASS_StreamCreateFile Denial of Service attack triggered by a manipulated .mp3 file, potentially causing high CPU consumption and application unresponsiveness.

Understanding CVE-2019-18796

A vulnerability in the BASS Audio Library 2.4.14 for Windows can lead to a Denial of Service condition due to a specific issue with BASS_StreamCreateFile.

What is CVE-2019-18796?

The vulnerability in the BASS Audio Library 2.4.14 for Windows allows for a BASS_StreamCreateFile Denial of Service attack when a crafted .mp3 file initiates an infinite loop, resulting in high CPU usage and unresponsive application behavior.

The Impact of CVE-2019-18796

Exploiting this vulnerability could lead to a significant impact, including high CPU consumption and rendering the application unresponsive, affecting system performance and user experience.

Technical Details of CVE-2019-18796

The technical aspects of the CVE-2019-18796 vulnerability provide insight into its nature and potential risks.

Vulnerability Description

The BASS Audio Library 2.4.14 for Windows is susceptible to a BASS_StreamCreateFile Denial of Service vulnerability caused by a manipulated .mp3 file triggering an infinite loop, resulting in high CPU consumption and application unresponsiveness.

Affected Systems and Versions

Product: BASS Audio Library 2.4.14
Vendor: n/a
Version: n/a

Exploitation Mechanism

The vulnerability is exploited by using a specially crafted .mp3 file to trigger an infinite loop within the BASS_StreamCreateFile function, leading to excessive CPU usage and unresponsive application behavior.

Mitigation and Prevention

Addressing CVE-2019-18796 requires immediate actions and long-term security practices to mitigate risks and enhance system security.

Immediate Steps to Take

Disable or restrict access to potentially malicious .mp3 files.
Implement network-level protections to filter out suspicious content.
Monitor system resources for unusual CPU consumption.

Long-Term Security Practices

Regularly update software and libraries to patch known vulnerabilities.
Conduct security assessments and penetration testing to identify and address weaknesses.
Educate users and developers on secure coding practices to prevent similar vulnerabilities.

Patching and Updates

Apply patches or updates provided by the software vendor to address the vulnerability in the BASS Audio Library 2.4.14 for Windows.