CVE-2005-2195 in Darwin Streaming Server
Summary
by MITRE
Apple Darwin Streaming Server 5.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a URL with a filename containing a .cgi extension and an MS-DOS device name such as AUX, CON, PRN, COM1, or LPT1, a different vulnerability than CVE-2003-0421 and CVE-2003-0502.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2017
The vulnerability described in CVE-2005-2195 affects Apple Darwin Streaming Server version 5.5 and earlier, representing a significant denial of service weakness that exploits improper handling of specially crafted filenames. This flaw specifically targets the server's processing of URLs containing filenames with .cgi extension combined with MS-DOS device names such as AUX, CON, PRN, COM1, or LPT1. The vulnerability operates at the file system level where the server fails to properly sanitize input filenames before attempting to process them, creating a path traversal and resource access issue. Unlike similar vulnerabilities such as CVE-2003-0421 and CVE-2003-0502, this particular flaw demonstrates a distinct attack vector that leverages the legacy MS-DOS device name handling mechanisms within the server's file processing pipeline.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the underlying operating system's handling of device names that were originally designed for MS-DOS systems and have since been deprecated in modern operating environments. When the Apple Darwin Streaming Server encounters a filename containing both a .cgi extension and one of these reserved device names, the server's file processing routine attempts to access or create files with these special device identifiers, which can trigger system-level errors or resource allocation failures. This behavior stems from the server's failure to implement proper input validation and sanitization routines that would normally reject or normalize such malformed filenames before they reach the file system layer. The vulnerability manifests as an application crash or complete service disruption, effectively rendering the streaming server unavailable to legitimate users.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe risk to streaming services that rely on Apple Darwin Streaming Server, particularly in environments where external access is permitted or where users can submit content. The remote nature of the attack means that malicious actors can exploit this weakness without requiring local system access or authentication credentials, making it particularly dangerous in public-facing streaming environments. The denial of service condition can persist until the server is manually restarted or the vulnerable process is terminated, potentially causing extended service interruptions that could impact media delivery and user experience. Organizations using this streaming server version face significant operational risks, as the vulnerability can be exploited to disrupt streaming services at any time without requiring complex attack infrastructure or specialized knowledge beyond basic URL manipulation techniques.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-22 (Improper Limitation of a Pathname to a Restricted Directory) and CWE-73 (External Control of File Name or Path) categories, demonstrating how inadequate input validation can lead to system-level failures. It also maps to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 (Endpoint Denial of Service) and T1566.001 (Phishing with Malicious File), as attackers can craft malicious URLs that appear legitimate while exploiting the server's file handling routines. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to a patched version of Apple Darwin Streaming Server, implementing input validation rules that reject filenames containing reserved device names, and deploying network-level filtering that blocks suspicious URL patterns. Additionally, system administrators should monitor for unusual file access patterns and implement proper logging of file system operations to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input sanitization and the need for legacy system compatibility considerations in modern networked applications.