CVE-2020-18781: Heap buffer overflow vulnerability in FilePOSIX::read in File.cpp in audiofile 0.3.6 may cause denial-of-servi

Routine

MEDIUM 5.5DOWNGRADE

CVE-2020-18781 is a medium-severity flaw (CVSS 5.5) affecting audiofile. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Heap buffer overflow vulnerability in FilePOSIX::read in File.cpp in audiofile 0.3.6 may cause denial-of-service via a crafted wav file, this bug can be triggered by the executable sfconvert.

Why this priority

Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	5.5 (Medium)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	None
User interaction	Required
EPSS exploit chance	0.3% (top 79%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-787
Published	2023-08-22
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: audiofile

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2023-08-22 19:15 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 02:59 UTCUpdated Record last modified

audiofile audiofile DOWNGRADE

Affected: 0.3.6

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 0.3.6

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy audiofile || rpm -q audiofile || audiofile --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 0.3.6 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison audiofile sudo apt install audiofile=<VERSION_BEFORE_0.3.6> sudo apt-mark hold audiofile

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list audiofile sudo dnf downgrade audiofile-<VERSION_BEFORE_0.3.6> sudo dnf versionlock add audiofile

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2020-18781?

audiofile: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2020-18781 being exploited?

CVE-2020-18781 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2020-18781 affect?

CVE-2020-18781 affects audiofile. Severity is medium (CVSS 5.5). Heap buffer overflow vulnerability in FilePOSIX::read in File.cpp in audiofile 0.3.6 may cause denial-of-service via a crafted wav file, this bug can be triggered by the executable sfconvert.

How urgent is CVE-2020-18781?

Priority 30/100. Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2025-50950 HIGH 7.5 DOWNGRADE Audiofile v0.3.7 was discovered to contain a NULL pointer dereference via the ModuleState::setup function.
CVE-2022-24599 MEDIUM 6.5 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE In autofile Audio File Library 0.3.6, there exists one memory leak vulnerability in printfileinfo, in printinf
CVE-2019-13147 MEDIUM 6.5 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE In Audio File Library (aka audiofile) 0.3.6, there exists one NULL pointer dereference bug in ulaw2linear_buf
CVE-2018-17095 HIGH 8.8 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE An issue has been discovered in mpruett Audio File Library (aka audiofile) 0.3.6, 0.3.5, 0.3.4, 0.3.3, 0.3.2,
CVE-2018-13440 MEDIUM 6.5 DOWNGRADE MITIGATE The audiofile Audio File Library 0.3.6 has a NULL pointer dereference bug in ModuleState::setup in modules/Mod

References

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