CVE-2003-0055 in Quicktime Darwin Mp3 Broadcaster
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the MP3 broadcasting module of Apple Darwin Streaming Administration Server 4.1.2 and QuickTime Streaming Server 4.1.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/19/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2003-0055 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the MP3 broadcasting module of Apple Darwin Streaming Administration Server version 4.1.2 and QuickTime Streaming Server version 4.1.1. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly handle excessively long filename parameters. The flaw exists in the server's handling of media streaming requests, specifically when processing MP3 files through the streaming protocols. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by crafting maliciously long filename strings that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing memory corruption that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is classified as a classic stack-based buffer overflow according to CWE-121, which occurs when insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute arbitrary commands on the compromised system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental flaw in memory management within the streaming server's file handling routines. When the server receives a streaming request containing an overly long filename, the system attempts to store this data in a fixed-size buffer without proper length validation. This allows the attacker to overwrite adjacent memory segments including return addresses and control data structures. The overflow can be triggered through various means including HTTP requests or RTSP protocol communications used by streaming servers. The specific nature of the buffer overflow makes it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited to overwrite the instruction pointer, redirecting program execution flow to malicious code injected by the attacker. This vulnerability directly relates to CWE-787 which describes out-of-bounds write conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The attack vector is classified as remote since no local access is required for exploitation, making it particularly concerning for networked streaming servers that are publicly accessible.
The operational impact of CVE-2003-0055 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise and potential denial of service conditions. Once successfully exploited, attackers gain the ability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the streaming server process, which typically runs with elevated system permissions. This can result in unauthorized access to sensitive media content, modification of streaming configurations, or even complete system takeover. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on Apple's streaming solutions for media distribution, potentially exposing broadcast content, user data, and server infrastructure to unauthorized access. Network administrators may experience service disruption as compromised servers become unusable or are taken offline for remediation. The impact is particularly severe for content providers who depend on these streaming servers for commercial media distribution, as exploitation could lead to unauthorized content access, piracy, or service interruption that affects business operations and revenue streams.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0055 should focus on immediate patch deployment and network-level defenses. The most effective solution involves applying the official security patches released by Apple to address the buffer overflow vulnerability in the affected streaming server versions. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit access to streaming server endpoints and deploy intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious filename patterns in streaming requests. Input validation measures should be implemented at multiple layers including application-level checks, proxy filtering, and network firewalls to prevent overly long filename parameters from reaching the vulnerable server components. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify unpatched systems within the network infrastructure. Additionally, implementing monitoring solutions that track unusual streaming patterns or excessive filename lengths can help detect potential exploitation attempts. System hardening practices including disabling unnecessary services, implementing least privilege access controls, and maintaining current security patches across all streaming infrastructure components will significantly reduce the attack surface and prevent successful exploitation of this vulnerability.