Denial of Service Vulnerability in Python Packages: CVE-2017-18207
Summary
UBUNTU-CVE-2017-18207: The Wave_read._read_fmt_chunk function in Lib/wave.py in Python through 3.6.4 does not ensure a nonzero channel value, which allows attackers to cause a denial of service (divide-by-zero and exception) via a crafted wav... Affects python2.7 versions 2.7.5-8ubuntu3 – 2.7.6-8ubuntu0.6+esm9. No fix is published. How to fix ↓
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Background
Python is a widely-used high-level programming language known for its readability and versatility. It supports multiple programming paradigms and is utilized in various applications, from web development to data analysis. The vulnerability in question affects several Python packages, including python2.7, python3.4, python3.5, python3.6, and python3.7, specifically in the wave module, which handles WAV audio file formats. This vulnerability can lead to a denial of service, impacting applications that rely on these packages to process audio files.
Vulnerability Detail
The vulnerability arises from the Wave_read._read_fmt_chunk function in Lib/wave.py, which fails to ensure a nonzero channel value. This oversight allows attackers to craft a malicious WAV file that, when processed, triggers a divide-by-zero error, leading to application crashes. The potential ramifications include service interruptions and degraded user experience, particularly for applications that handle audio processing. The vulnerability has been assigned a CVSS score of 6.5, indicating a moderate severity level.
How To Fix
No fixed version is published for this vulnerability.
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Workaround
As a temporary workaround, avoid processing untrusted or user-uploaded WAV files until the packages are updated. Additionally, implement input validation to check for valid channel values before processing audio files.
Conclusion
CVE-2017-18207 is a significant vulnerability affecting various Python packages, leading to potential denial of service through crafted WAV files. It is crucial to update the affected packages to their patched versions and implement workarounds to ensure application security.
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FAQ
CVE-2017-18207 is a vulnerability in Python's wave module that can lead to a denial of service due to a divide-by-zero error when processing crafted WAV files.
The vulnerability affects multiple Python versions, including python2.7, python3.4, python3.5, python3.6, and python3.7.
You can use Vulert's playground at Vulert Scanner to check if your application is affected by this vulnerability without needing to sign up.
If immediate updates are not possible, avoid processing untrusted WAV files and implement input validation to mitigate risks.
Vulert is a tool that monitors and alerts in real-time for open-source vulnerabilities in software using just a manifest file like package-lock.json.
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