CVE-2019-14496 – This vulnerability is a stack-based buffer over... (How to Fix)

Q: What is the severity of CVE-2019-14496?

CVE-2019-14496 has a CVSS score of 7.8 (HIGH). This vulnerability is a stack-based buffer overflow in MilkyTracker's LoaderXM::load function. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious XM module files to execute arbitrary code or crash the application. Users running MilkyTracker 1.02.00 are affected.

📋 TL;DR

This vulnerability is a stack-based buffer overflow in MilkyTracker's LoaderXM::load function. Attackers can exploit this by crafting malicious XM module files to execute arbitrary code or crash the application. Users running MilkyTracker 1.02.00 are affected.

💻 Affected Systems

Products:

MilkyTracker

Versions: 1.02.00

Operating Systems: Windows, Linux, macOS, BSD

Default Config Vulnerable: ⚠️ Yes

Notes: All installations of MilkyTracker 1.02.00 are vulnerable when processing XM module files.

📦 What is this software?

⚠️ Risk & Real-World Impact

🔴

Worst Case

Remote code execution with the privileges of the MilkyTracker process, potentially leading to full system compromise if MilkyTracker runs with elevated privileges.

🟠

Likely Case

Application crash (denial of service) or limited code execution within the context of the MilkyTracker process.

🟢

If Mitigated

No impact if the vulnerable version is not installed or if proper file validation prevents malicious XM files from being processed.

🌐 Internet-Facing: LOW - MilkyTracker is a desktop music tracker application not typically exposed to internet traffic.

🏢 Internal Only: MEDIUM - Risk exists if users process untrusted XM files from internal sources or external media.

🎯 Exploit Status

Public PoC: ⚠️ Yes

Weaponized: LIKELY

Unauthenticated Exploit: ⚠️ Yes

Complexity: LOW

Exploitation requires user interaction to open a malicious XM file. The vulnerability is well-documented with public proof-of-concept available.

🛠️ Fix & Mitigation

✅ Official Fix

Patch Version: Versions after 1.02.00 (specifically fixed in later releases)

Vendor Advisory: https://github.com/milkytracker/MilkyTracker/issues/183

Restart Required: Yes

Instructions:

1. Download latest MilkyTracker version from official repository. 2. Uninstall old version. 3. Install new version. 4. Restart system if MilkyTracker was running during update.

🔧 Temporary Workarounds

Disable XM file processing

all

Prevent MilkyTracker from opening XM module files by removing file associations or using application restrictions.

Sandbox execution

all

Run MilkyTracker in a sandboxed environment or with reduced privileges to limit potential damage from exploitation.

🧯 If You Can't Patch

Uninstall MilkyTracker 1.02.00 completely.
Implement application whitelisting to prevent execution of MilkyTracker.

🔍 How to Verify

Check if Vulnerable:

Check MilkyTracker version: On Linux/macOS run 'milkyplay --version' or check About dialog in GUI. Version 1.02.00 is vulnerable.

Check Version:

milkyplay --version

Verify Fix Applied:

Verify version is newer than 1.02.00. Test with known malicious XM file (in safe environment) to confirm application doesn't crash.

📡 Detection & Monitoring

Log Indicators:

Application crash logs from MilkyTracker
Unexpected process termination of milkyplay

Network Indicators:

Not applicable - local file processing vulnerability

SIEM Query:

Process:Name='milkyplay' AND EventID=1000 (Application Error)

📊 Metadata

CVE ID: CVE-2019-14496

CVSS v3 Score: 7.8 (HIGH)

CVSS Vector: CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H

CWE: CWE-787

Published: August 1, 2019

Last Updated: November 21, 2024

🔗 References

https://github.com/milkytracker/MilkyTracker/issues/183 Exploit,Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/10/msg00029.html Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/07/msg00023.html Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4499-1/ Third Party Advisory
https://github.com/milkytracker/MilkyTracker/issues/183 Exploit,Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2019/10/msg00029.html Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://lists.debian.org/debian-lts-announce/2020/07/msg00023.html Mailing List,Third Party Advisory
https://usn.ubuntu.com/4499-1/ Third Party Advisory

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