CVE-2017-18189
In the startread function in xa.c in Sound eXchange (SoX) through 14.4.2, a corrupt header...
In the startread function in xa.c in Sound eXchange (SoX) through 14.4.2, a corrupt header specifying zero channels triggers an infinite loop with a resultant NULL pointer dereference, which may allow a remote attacker to cause a denial-of-service.
Attack profile
How easy it is to exploit
- Attack vector
- Network
- Complexity
- Low
- Privileges needed
- None
- User interaction
- None
What an attacker can affect
- Confidentiality
- None
- Integrity
- None
- Availability
- High
Exploit likelihood
What each source reports
NVD Score used
7.5
In the startread function in xa.c in Sound eXchange (SoX) through 14.4.2, a corrupt header specifying zero channels triggers an infinite loop with a resultant NULL pointer dereference, which may allow a remote attacker to cause a denial-of-service.
- Record
CVE-2017-18189- CVSS 3.0
- 7.5 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H - CVSS 2.0
- 5.0 Medium
AV:N/AC:L/Au:N/C:N/I:N/A:P - Weakness
- CWE-476
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
CVE List No score
In the startread function in xa.c in Sound eXchange (SoX) through 14.4.2, a corrupt header specifying zero channels triggers an infinite loop with a resultant NULL pointer dereference, which may allow a remote attacker to cause a denial-of-service.
- Record
CVE-2017-18189- Updated
- 2026-11-02
EUVDEUVD-2017-9324 No score
In the startread function in xa.c in Sound eXchange (SoX) through 14.4.2, a corrupt header specifying zero channels triggers an infinite loop with a resultant NULL pointer dereference, which may allow a remote attacker to cause a denial-of-service.
- Record
EUVD-2017-9324- Updated
- 2026-11-03
GitHub AdvisoriesGHSA-7cwr-p3p4-jp5x
7.5
In the startread function in xa.c in Sound eXchange (SoX) through 14.4.2, a corrupt header...
In the startread function in xa.c in Sound eXchange (SoX) through 14.4.2, a corrupt header specifying zero channels triggers an infinite loop with a resultant NULL pointer dereference, which may allow a remote attacker to cause a denial-of-service.
- Record
GHSA-7cwr-p3p4-jp5x- CVSS 3.0
- 7.5 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H - Weakness
- CWE-476
- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSV
7.5
In the startread function in xa.c in Sound eXchange (SoX) through 14.4.2, a corrupt header specifying zero channels triggers an infinite loop with a resultant NULL pointer dereference, which may allow a remote attacker to cause a denial-of-service.
- Record
CVE-2017-18189- CVSS 3.0
- 7.5 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVDEBIAN-CVE-2017-18189
7.5
In the startread function in xa.c in Sound eXchange (SoX) through 14.4.2, a corrupt header specifying zero channels triggers an infinite loop with a resultant NULL pointer dereference, which may allow a remote attacker to cause a denial-of-service.
- Record
DEBIAN-CVE-2017-18189- CVSS 3.0
- 7.5 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
Show 6 moreShow less
OSVRHSA-2019:2283
3.3
Red Hat Security Advisory: sox security update
- Record
RHSA-2019:2283- CVSS 3.0
- 3.3 Low
CVSS:3.0/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:L - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVUBUNTU-CVE-2017-18189
7.5
In the startread function in xa.c in Sound eXchange (SoX) through 14.4.2, a corrupt header specifying zero channels triggers an infinite loop with a resultant NULL pointer dereference, which may allow a remote attacker to cause a denial-of-service.
- Record
UBUNTU-CVE-2017-18189- CVSS 3.0
- 7.5 High
CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:N/I:N/A:H - Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVMGASA-2018-0211 No score
Updated sox packages fix security vulnerabilities
This update for sox fixes the following security issues:
- CVE-2017-11332: Fixed the startread function in wav.c, which allowed remote attackers to cause a DoS (divide-by-zero) via a crafted wav file.
- CVE-2017-11358: Fixed the read_samples function in hcom.c, which allowed remote attackers to cause a DoS (invalid memory read) via a crafted hcom file.
- CVE-2017-11359: Fixed the wavwritehdr function in wav.c, which allowed remote attackers to cause a DoS (divide-by-zero) when converting a a crafted snd file to a wav file.
- CVE-2017-15372: Fixed a stack-based buffer overflow in the lsx_ms_adpcm_block_expand_i function of adpcm.c, which allowed remote attackers to cause a DoS during conversion of a crafted audio file.
- CVE-2017-15642: Fixed an Use-After-Free vulnerability in lsx_aiffstartread in aiff.c, which could be triggered by an attacker by providing a malformed AIFF file.
- CVE-2017-18189: In the startread function in xa.c in Sound eXchange (SoX) through 14.4.2, a corrupt header specifying zero channels triggers an infinite loop with a resultant NULL pointer dereference, which may allow a remote attacker to cause a denial-of-service.
- Record
MGASA-2018-0211- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVopenSUSE-SU-2018:0489-1 No score
Security update for sox
This update for sox fixes the following issues:
- CVE-2017-11332: Fixed the startread function in wav.c, which allowed remote attackers to cause a DoS (divide-by-zero) via a crafted wav file. (boo#1081140)
- CVE-2017-11358: Fixed the read_samples function in hcom.c, which allowed remote attackers to cause a DoS (invalid memory read) via a crafted hcom file. (boo#1081141)
- CVE-2017-11359: Fixed the wavwritehdr function in wav.c, which allowed remote attackers to cause a DoS (divide-by-zero) when converting a a crafted snd file to a wav file. (boo#1081142)
- CVE-2017-15370: Fixed a heap-based buffer overflow in the ImaExpandS function of ima_rw.c, which allowed remote attackers to cause a DoS during conversion of a crafted audio file. (boo#1063439)
- CVE-2017-15371: Fixed an assertion abort in the function sox_append_comment() in formats.c, which allowed remote attackers to cause a DoS during conversion of a crafted audio file. (boo#1063450)
- CVE-2017-15372: Fixed a stack-based buffer overflow in the lsx_ms_adpcm_block_expand_i function of adpcm.c, which allowed remote attackers to cause a DoS during conversion of a crafted audio file. (boo#1063456)
- CVE-2017-15642: Fixed an Use-After-Free vulnerability in lsx_aiffstartread in aiff.c, which could be triggered by an attacker by providing a malformed AIFF file. (boo#1064576)
- CVE-2017-18189: Fixed a NULL pointer dereference triggered by a corrupt header specifying zero channels in the startread function in xa.c, which allowed remote attackers to cause a DoS (boo#1081146).
- Record
openSUSE-SU-2018:0489-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVopenSUSE-SU-2018:0493-1 No score
Security update for sox
This update for sox fixes the following issues:
- CVE-2017-11332: Fixed the startread function in wav.c, which allowed remote attackers to cause a DoS (divide-by-zero) via a crafted wav file. (boo#1081140)
- CVE-2017-11358: Fixed the read_samples function in hcom.c, which allowed remote attackers to cause a DoS (invalid memory read) via a crafted hcom file. (boo#1081141)
- CVE-2017-11359: Fixed the wavwritehdr function in wav.c, which allowed remote attackers to cause a DoS (divide-by-zero) when converting a a crafted snd file to a wav file. (boo#1081142)
- CVE-2017-15370: Fixed a heap-based buffer overflow in the ImaExpandS function of ima_rw.c, which allowed remote attackers to cause a DoS during conversion of a crafted audio file. (boo#1063439)
- CVE-2017-15371: Fixed an assertion abort in the function sox_append_comment() in formats.c, which allowed remote attackers to cause a DoS during conversion of a crafted audio file. (boo#1063450)
- CVE-2017-15372: Fixed a stack-based buffer overflow in the lsx_ms_adpcm_block_expand_i function of adpcm.c, which allowed remote attackers to cause a DoS during conversion of a crafted audio file. (boo#1063456)
- CVE-2017-15642: Fixed an Use-After-Free vulnerability in lsx_aiffstartread in aiff.c, which could be triggered by an attacker by providing a malformed AIFF file. (boo#1064576)
- CVE-2017-18189: Fixed a NULL pointer dereference triggered by a corrupt header specifying zero channels in the startread function in xa.c, which allowed remote attackers to cause a DoS (boo#1081146).
- Record
openSUSE-SU-2018:0493-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
OSVopenSUSE-SU-2024:11394-1 No score
libsox3-14.4.2-5.17 on GA media
These are all security issues fixed in the libsox3-14.4.2-5.17 package on the GA media of openSUSE Tumbleweed.
- Record
openSUSE-SU-2024:11394-1- Updated
- 2026-11-02
Affected products
Affected packages
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
soxDebian:12 |
before 14.4.2-2 | 14.4.2-2 |
soxDebian:13 |
before 14.4.2-2 | 14.4.2-2 |
soxDebian:7 |
before 14.4.0-3+deb7u2, plus listed versions 14.4.0-314.4.0-3+deb7u1 |
14.4.0-3+deb7u2 |
soxDebian:8 |
before 14.4.1-5+deb8u2, plus listed versions 14.4.1-514.4.1-5+deb8u1 |
14.4.1-5+deb8u2 |
soxMageia:5 |
before 14.4.1-6.3.mga5 | 14.4.1-6.3.mga5 |
soxMageia:6 |
before 14.4.2-7.3.mga6 | 14.4.2-7.3.mga6 |
soxRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::client |
before 0:14.4.1-7.el7 | 0:14.4.1-7.el7 |
sox-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::client |
before 0:14.4.1-7.el7 | 0:14.4.1-7.el7 |
sox-develRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::client |
before 0:14.4.1-7.el7 | 0:14.4.1-7.el7 |
soxRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::computenode |
before 0:14.4.1-7.el7 | 0:14.4.1-7.el7 |
Show 12 moreShow less
| Package | Affected | Fixed |
|---|---|---|
sox-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::computenode |
before 0:14.4.1-7.el7 | 0:14.4.1-7.el7 |
sox-develRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::computenode |
before 0:14.4.1-7.el7 | 0:14.4.1-7.el7 |
soxRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server |
before 0:14.4.1-7.el7 | 0:14.4.1-7.el7 |
sox-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server |
before 0:14.4.1-7.el7 | 0:14.4.1-7.el7 |
sox-develRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::server |
before 0:14.4.1-7.el7 | 0:14.4.1-7.el7 |
soxRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::workstation |
before 0:14.4.1-7.el7 | 0:14.4.1-7.el7 |
sox-debuginfoRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::workstation |
before 0:14.4.1-7.el7 | 0:14.4.1-7.el7 |
sox-develRed Hat:enterprise_linux:7::workstation |
before 0:14.4.1-7.el7 | 0:14.4.1-7.el7 |
soxUbuntu:14.04:LTS |
before 14.4.1-3ubuntu1.1, plus listed versions 14.4.1-314.4.1-3ubuntu1 |
14.4.1-3ubuntu1.1 |
soxUbuntu:16.04:LTS |
before 14.4.1-5ubuntu0.1, plus listed versions 14.4.1-5 |
14.4.1-5ubuntu0.1 |
soxSUSE:Package Hub 12 SP3 |
before 14.4.2-5.1 | 14.4.2-5.1 |
soxopenSUSE:Tumbleweed |
before 14.4.2-5.17 | 14.4.2-5.17 |
History
| Recorded | Changed | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| aliases | EUVD | |
| first indexed | CVE List, GitHub Advisories, NVD, OSV |
Dates are when Every CVE recorded each change. Upstream dates may differ.
In short
CVE-2017-18189 is a high vulnerability (CVSS 7.5) in Sound Exchange Project Exchange, published November 30, 2017. No source lists public exploit code. EPSS puts the chance of exploitation in the next 30 days at 5.05%, the 92nd percentile. Fixed in sox 14.4.2-2.
References
public-inbox.org/sox-devel/20171109114554.16297-1-mans%40mansr.com/raw
bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=881121
lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/02/msg00042.html
access.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2019:2283
lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/EUKFZQSZG2ABMTAMOGBMY7MJNSGEIYTL
lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/package-announce%40lists.fedoraproject.org/message/62RARFRXGKPNNFFNVDV7DHJSOKAIZ3CX
Show 31 moreShow less
nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-18189
lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/62RARFRXGKPNNFFNVDV7DHJSOKAIZ3CX
lists.fedoraproject.org/archives/list/[email protected]/message/EUKFZQSZG2ABMTAMOGBMY7MJNSGEIYTL
public-inbox.org/sox-devel/[email protected]/raw
github.com/advisories/GHSA-7cwr-p3p4-jp5x
security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2017-18189
advisories.mageia.org/MGASA-2018-0211.html
bugs.mageia.org/show_bug.cgi?id=22615
access.redhat.com/security/updates/classification
access.redhat.com/documentation/en-us/red_hat_enterprise_linux/7/html/7.7_release_notes/index
bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=1545866
security.access.redhat.com/data/csaf/v2/advisories/2019/rhsa-2019_2283.json
access.redhat.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-18189
cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-18189
ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-18189
bugzilla.suse.com/1063439
bugzilla.suse.com/1063450
bugzilla.suse.com/1063456
bugzilla.suse.com/1064576
bugzilla.suse.com/1081140
bugzilla.suse.com/1081141
bugzilla.suse.com/1081142
bugzilla.suse.com/1081146
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-11332
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-11358
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-11359
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-15370
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-15371
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-15372
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-15642
suse.com/security/cve/CVE-2017-18189