CVE-2005-1806 in PeerCast
Summary
by MITRE
Format string vulnerability in PeerCast 0.1211 and earlier allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via format strings in the URL.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/30/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2005-1806 represents a critical format string vulnerability within PeerCast version 0.1211 and earlier implementations. PeerCast is a peer-to-peer streaming media application designed to facilitate the distribution of audio and video content across networks. This specific flaw occurs when the application processes URL inputs without proper validation or sanitization, creating an environment where malicious actors can exploit the format string handling mechanisms to execute arbitrary code remotely. The vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly handle format specifiers within user-supplied URL parameters, allowing attackers to inject malicious format strings that can manipulate the application's memory execution flow.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental weakness in how the application processes string formatting operations. When PeerCast encounters a URL containing format specifiers such as %s, %d, or %x within its processing pipeline, it fails to validate these inputs adequately. This allows attackers to craft specially formatted URLs that, when processed by the application, can cause the format string functions to read from or write to arbitrary memory locations. The attack typically involves injecting format specifiers that reference stack memory locations, potentially enabling information disclosure, application crashes, or more critically, code execution. According to CWE-134, this vulnerability maps directly to the weakness of using user-controlled format strings without proper validation, which is a well-documented pattern in software security vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential system compromise and denial of service conditions. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can gain unauthorized access to the system running PeerCast, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation does not require local access or physical presence, making it particularly dangerous for networked environments. The vulnerability affects not only individual users but also organizations that deploy PeerCast for media distribution, as a compromised instance could serve as a foothold for broader network attacks. Additionally, the vulnerability may enable attackers to perform information disclosure attacks that could expose sensitive system information, further complicating the security posture of affected systems. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, where attackers could leverage the executed code to establish persistence or escalate privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected PeerCast versions, as well as implementing input validation measures to prevent format string exploitation. Organizations should ensure that all instances of PeerCast are updated to versions that properly handle format strings and validate URL inputs. Network segmentation and firewall rules can provide additional protection by limiting access to PeerCast services to trusted networks. Input sanitization techniques should be implemented to filter out potentially malicious format specifiers from URL parameters before they reach the application's processing functions. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual URL patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and the dangers of relying on user-supplied data without adequate sanitization, reinforcing principles from both CWE and ATT&CK frameworks that emphasize the need for robust defensive measures against format string vulnerabilities in networked applications.