CVE-2004-1379 in xine-lib
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the DVD subpicture decoder in xine xine-lib 1-rc5 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a (1) DVD or (2) MPEG subpicture header where the second field reuses RLE data from the end of the first field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/30/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2004-1379 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting the xine multimedia library version 1-rc5 and earlier. This flaw exists within the DVD subpicture decoder component of the xine-lib library, which is widely used in various multimedia applications and operating systems for handling digital video content. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of subpicture data within DVD and MPEG video streams, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through normal media playback operations. The attack vector involves remote exploitation through specially crafted subpicture headers that manipulate the decoding process to cause memory corruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking during the processing of Run-Length Encoding (RLE) data within subpicture headers. When the decoder encounters a second field that reuses RLE data from the end of the first field, the memory allocation and data copying operations fail to properly validate the boundaries of the buffer. This allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations in the heap, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution. The flaw occurs because the decoder does not adequately verify the length of RLE data before copying it into fixed-size buffers, creating a classic heap overflow condition. The vulnerability is particularly insidious as it can be triggered by legitimate media content, making it difficult to detect and prevent through simple network filtering measures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with potential access to systems running vulnerable versions of xine-lib. The heap overflow can be exploited to overwrite critical memory structures, potentially leading to denial of service, privilege escalation, or complete system compromise depending on the target environment. Attackers can craft malicious DVD or MPEG files that, when played through vulnerable applications, trigger the buffer overflow condition and execute malicious payloads. This vulnerability affects a wide range of multimedia applications that depend on xine-lib, including media players, video streaming services, and embedded systems with multimedia capabilities. The remote nature of the attack means that users can be compromised simply by viewing or playing content from untrusted sources, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter malicious media files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1379 primarily involve immediate patching of affected systems with updated versions of xine-lib that contain proper bounds checking and memory validation. System administrators should prioritize updating all applications that utilize the vulnerable library, particularly those handling user-provided media content. Network security measures such as content filtering and sandboxing of multimedia applications can provide additional protection layers, though these are less effective than proper patching. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in multimedia processing libraries, aligning with common weakness enumerations such as CWE-121 for heap-based buffer overflow conditions. From an attack perspective, this vulnerability would likely be categorized under the MITRE ATT&CK framework within the execution and privilege escalation domains, as it enables arbitrary code execution and potential system compromise through media playback operations. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management programs that include regular security assessments of multimedia libraries and applications to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.