Description
The read_samples function in hcom.c in Sound eXchange (SoX) 14.4.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid memory read and application crash) via a crafted hcom file.
Fixed in Linux distributions
Distributions backport fixes, so the version that fixes this vulnerability differs per release — upgrade to at least the version shown. From the distributions' security trackers and advisories.
Debian
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Debian 13 | sox | 14.4.2-2 | — |
| Debian 12 | sox | 14.4.2-2 | — |
| Debian 8 | sox | 14.4.1-5+deb8u3 | DLA-1705-1 |
| Debian 7 | sox | 14.4.0-3+deb7u2 | DLA-1197-1 |
Ubuntu
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ubuntu 16.04 LTS | sox | 14.4.1-5ubuntu0.1 | — |
| Ubuntu 14.04 LTS | sox | 14.4.1-3ubuntu1.1 | — |
SUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| SUSE Package Hub 12 SP3 | sox | 14.4.2-5.1 | openSUSE-SU-2018:0493-1, openSUSE-SU-2018:0489-1 |
openSUSE
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| openSUSE Tumbleweed | sox | 14.4.2-5.17 | openSUSE-SU-2024:11394-1 |
Alpine
Security tracker ↗| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.24 | sox | 14.4.2-r5 | — |
| Alpine v3.23 | sox | 14.4.2-r5 | — |
| Alpine v3.22 | sox | 14.4.2-r5 | — |
| Alpine v3.21 | sox | 14.4.2-r5 | — |
| Alpine v3.20 | sox | 14.4.2-r5 | — |
Show 10 more (older releases, extended support, other products)Fewer releases
| Release | Package | Fixed in | Advisory |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alpine v3.19 | sox | 14.4.2-r5 | — |
| Alpine v3.18 | sox | 14.4.2-r5 | — |
| Alpine v3.17 | sox | 14.4.2-r5 | — |
| Alpine v3.16 | sox | 14.4.2-r5 | — |
| Alpine v3.15 | sox | 14.4.2-r5 | — |
| Alpine v3.14 | sox | 14.4.2-r5 | — |
| Alpine v3.13 | sox | 14.4.2-r5 | — |
| Alpine v3.12 | sox | 14.4.2-r5 | — |
| Alpine v3.11 | sox | 14.4.2-r5 | — |
| Alpine v3.10 | sox | 14.4.2-r5 | — |
Public exploits
Exploit or proof-of-concept code for this vulnerability is publicly available, which lowers the bar for attackers. Treat it as a reason to patch sooner.
Third-party code, not reviewed by us. Public PoCs are sometimes fake or contain malware. Read the code first and run it only in an isolated lab, against systems you are authorised to test.
Exploit-DB 1
- Sound eXchange (SoX) 14.4.2 - Multiple Vulnerabilities EDB-42398 · dos · Jul 31, 2017
Sources: PoC-in-GitHub, Metasploit Framework, Exploit-DB — updated daily. Only links are listed; no exploit code is hosted here.
Advisories 5
- DLA-1705-1 sox - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- DLA-1197-1 sox - security update Debian Security (DSA / DLA) · Mar 9, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2024:11394-1 libsox3-14.4.2-5.17 on GA media SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2018:0493-1 Security update for sox SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
- openSUSE-SU-2018:0489-1 Security update for sox SUSE / openSUSE Security Updates · Feb 4, 2026
References
- 42398 exploit
- [debian-lts-announce] 20171130 [SECURITY] [DLA 1197-1] sox security update mailing-list
- http://seclists.org/fulldisclosure/2017/Jul/81
- GLSA-201810-02 vendor-advisory
- [debian-lts-announce] 20190305 [SECURITY] [DLA 1705-1] sox security update mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20230203 sox: patches for old vulnerabilities mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20230204 Re: sox: patches for old vulnerabilities mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20230205 Re: sox: patches for old vulnerabilities mailing-list
- [oss-security] 20230206 Re: sox: patches for old vulnerabilities mailing-list