---
title: "CVE-2017-12839\n    | Ubuntu"
description: Ubuntu is an open source software operating system that runs from the
  desktop, to the cloud, to all your internet connected things.
url: https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-12839?format=md
keywords: index, follow
---

# CVE-2017-12839

Publication date 9 May 2019

Last updated 25 August 2025

---

Ubuntu priority

**Low**

[Why this priority?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#priority )

## Cvss 3 Severity Score

**8.3 · High**

[Score breakdown](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-12839?format=md#impact-score)

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## Description

A heap-based buffer over-read in the getbits function in
src/libmpg123/getbits.h in mpg123 through 1.25.5 allows remote attackers to
cause a possible denial-of-service (out-of-bounds read) or possibly have
unspecified other impact via a crafted mp3 file.

### From the Ubuntu Security Team

It was discovered that mpg123 failed to handle certain malformed mp3 files. An
attacker could use this vulnerability to potentially leak sensitive information
or cause a crash.

[Read the notes from the security team](https://ubuntu.com/security/CVE-2017-12839?format=md#notes)

## Status

Show unmaintained releases

| Package | Ubuntu Release | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| mpg123 | 22.04 LTS jammy | Not affected |
| 21.10 impish | Not affected |
| 21.04 hirsute | Not affected |
| 20.10 groovy | Not affected |
| 20.04 LTS focal | Not affected |
| 19.10 eoan | Not affected |
| 19.04 disco | Not affected |
| 18.10 cosmic | Not affected |
| 18.04 LTS bionic | Not affected |
| 16.04 LTS xenial | Fixed 1.22.4-1ubuntu0.1+esm2  Ubuntu Pro |
| 14.04 LTS trusty | Fixed 1.16.0-1ubuntu1.1+esm2  Ubuntu Pro |

---

* [How can I get the fixes?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#security)
* [What do statuses mean?](https://ubuntu.com/security/cves/about#statuses)

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## Notes

---

### [msalvatore](https://launchpad.net/~msalvatore)

unable to reproduce the bug with ASAN in trusty or xenial.

## Severity score breakdown

CVSS version:
CVSS v3.0

**Base score**

8.3 · High

* Base metrics

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Attack vector | Network |
  | Attack complexity | Low |
  | Privileges required | None |
  | User interaction | Required |
  | Scope | Unchanged |
  | Confidentiality impact | High |
  | Integrity impact | High |
  | Availability impact | Low |
* Scores

  | Parameter | Value |
  | --- | --- |
  | Base score | 8.3 · High |
  | Exploitability score | - |
  | Impact score | - |

**Vector:** CVSS:3.0/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:L

## References

* [MITRE](https://cve.mitre.org/cgi-bin/cvename.cgi?name=CVE-2017-12839)
* [NVD](https://nvd.nist.gov/vuln/detail/CVE-2017-12839)
* [Launchpad](https://launchpad.net/bugs/cve/CVE-2017-12839)
* [Debian](https://security-tracker.debian.org/tracker/CVE-2017-12839)

### Related Ubuntu Security Notices (USN)

+ [USN-4806-1](https://usn.ubuntu.com/USN-4806-1)
+ mpg123 vulnerability
+ 17 March 2021

### Other references

* <https://sourceforge.net/p/mpg123/bugs/255/>
* <https://www.mpg123.de/>
* <https://www.mpg123.de/cgi-bin/scm/mpg123/trunk/src/libmpg123/getbits.h?r1=2024&r2=4323&sortby=date>
* <https://www.cve.org/CVERecord?id=CVE-2017-12839>