CVE-2006-2200 in MiMMS
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in libmms, as used by (a) MiMMS 0.0.9 and (b) xine-lib 1.1.0 and earlier, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via the (1) send_command, (2) string_utf16, (3) get_data, and (4) get_media_packet functions, and possibly other functions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/22/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-2200 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the libmms library, a component widely utilized in multimedia applications for handling Microsoft Media Server protocols. This flaw affects prominent software ecosystems including MiMMS version 0.0.9 and xine-lib versions 1.1.0 and earlier, creating a significant security risk across multiple media playback platforms. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within several key functions of the library, specifically targeting the send_command, string_utf16, get_data, and get_media_packet functions, which collectively handle various aspects of media stream processing and command execution.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the libmms library processes malformed input data through these vulnerable functions, leading to unauthorized memory corruption on the stack. When an attacker crafts specially formatted media packets or command sequences, the library fails to properly bounds-check incoming data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This fundamental flaw allows malicious input to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations, potentially corrupting return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data structures. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal media playback operations, making exploitation feasible via remote network-based attacks without requiring local system access.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enabling remote code execution on affected systems. When successfully exploited, the buffer overflow can cause application crashes that disrupt media playback services, but more critically, attackers may be able to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the vulnerable application. This capability transforms the vulnerability from a mere service disruption into a potential entry point for broader system compromise, especially when the affected applications run with elevated privileges or have access to sensitive system resources. The attack surface is further expanded due to the widespread adoption of libmms across various multimedia applications, increasing the potential number of vulnerable systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-2200 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches from vendors, as the vulnerability affects multiple widely-used media libraries and applications. System administrators must ensure that all instances of affected software are updated to versions that include proper input validation and bounds-checking mechanisms. Additionally, network-level protections such as firewalls and intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor and filter suspicious media protocol traffic that might contain malicious payloads. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through application vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management processes and conduct regular security assessments to identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in their software dependencies, particularly focusing on libraries that handle untrusted input data from network sources.