CVE-2005-0838 in IceCast
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in the XSL parser for IceCast 2.20 may allow attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via (1) a long test value in an xsl:when tag, (2) a long test value in an xsl:if tag, or (3) a long select value in an xsl:value-of tag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/27/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-0838 represents a critical security flaw within the XSL parser component of IceCast 2.20 media streaming server software. This vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the XSL processing functionality that handles XML stylesheet transformations. The issue manifests as multiple buffer overflow conditions that can be triggered through malformed XSLT expressions containing excessively long string values in specific tag elements. These buffer overflows occur when the parser attempts to process test attributes within xsl:when and xsl:if tags, as well as select attributes within xsl:value-of tags, without proper bounds checking or memory allocation validation.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental weakness in memory management within the XSL parser implementation. When an attacker crafts malicious XSLT documents containing excessively long test or select values, the parser's internal buffer structures fail to accommodate the oversized input data, resulting in memory corruption. This memory corruption can lead to unpredictable program behavior including application crashes, denial of service conditions, and potentially arbitrary code execution depending on the specific memory layout and exploitation circumstances. The vulnerability affects the core processing logic of the XSLT engine, making it particularly dangerous as it can be triggered through legitimate XSLT processing operations that many applications might legitimately perform.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to organizations relying on IceCast 2.20 for media streaming services. The denial of service impact can disrupt streaming services and potentially affect business continuity, while the arbitrary code execution capability could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to the affected system. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because XSLT processing is commonly used in web applications and streaming platforms, making it likely that attackers could exploit this through various attack vectors including web-based XSLT transformations or malicious content delivery. The attack surface is broadened by the fact that the vulnerability exists within a widely used media streaming server implementation.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in processing components. The attack pattern follows typical exploit methodologies that leverage buffer overflows to achieve privilege escalation or code execution, similar to patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the privilege escalation and execution techniques. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as the vulnerability provides direct paths to both service disruption and potential system compromise. Additionally, implementing input validation controls and restricting XSLT processing capabilities where possible can provide interim protective measures against exploitation attempts.