CVE-2004-1373 in SHOUTcast Server
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in SHOUTcast 1.9.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in a content URL, as demonstrated in the filename portion of a .mp3 file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1373 represents a critical format string flaw within SHOUTcast server version 1.9.4 that exposes the system to remote exploitation. This issue arises from improper input validation when processing content URLs, specifically affecting the filename portion of .mp3 files. The vulnerability stems from the server's failure to properly sanitize user-supplied data before using it in format string functions, creating a pathway for malicious actors to inject arbitrary format specifiers that can manipulate memory operations.
This format string vulnerability operates at the core of the application's string handling mechanisms, where the SHOUTcast server processes incoming requests containing specially crafted content URLs. When a malicious user submits a .mp3 filename containing format string specifiers such as %n, %s, or %x, the server's processing function interprets these characters as instructions for memory operations rather than literal text. The flaw manifests through the use of insecure functions like sprintf or printf without proper validation of the input data, allowing attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow and potentially overwrite critical memory segments.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass full remote code execution capabilities. An attacker can leverage this flaw to cause application crashes, leading to persistent denial of service conditions that disrupt streaming services. More critically, the vulnerability enables arbitrary code execution through controlled memory manipulation, allowing malicious actors to inject and run unauthorized code on the vulnerable system. This represents a severe compromise of system integrity and can result in complete system takeover, data exfiltration, or further network infiltration activities.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with several ATT&CK tactics including execution through command and script interpreter, privilege escalation, and persistence mechanisms. The CWE classification for this vulnerability falls under CWE-134, which specifically addresses format string vulnerabilities where format strings are constructed from user-controlled data. This categorization highlights the fundamental flaw in input sanitization and the dangerous combination of user-supplied data with insecure string manipulation functions. Organizations running SHOUTcast servers are particularly vulnerable as this flaw affects the core streaming functionality and can be exploited through standard HTTP requests without requiring special privileges or authentication.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1373 must address both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary solution involves applying the vendor-provided patch or upgrading to SHOUTcast versions that properly validate and sanitize all user-supplied input before processing. Additionally, implementing input validation measures such as restricting special characters in filenames, employing proper string formatting functions that prevent format string injection, and deploying network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems can help reduce the attack surface. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual patterns in content URL requests that may indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security audits should verify that all string handling operations properly validate input data against expected formats and lengths.