CVE-2006-3276 in Helix DNA Server
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in RealNetworks Helix DNA Server 10.0 and 11.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a long User-Agent HTTP header in the RTSP service and (2) unspecified vectors involving the "parsing of HTTP URL schemes".
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/19/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-3276 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within RealNetworks Helix DNA Server versions 10.0 and 11.0. This security weakness resides in the server's handling of HTTP requests and RTSP protocol communications, creating a pathway for remote code execution that could be exploited by malicious actors without authentication. The vulnerability specifically targets the server's memory management mechanisms when processing user input through HTTP headers and URL parsing operations.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the Helix DNA Server processes a specially crafted User-Agent HTTP header that exceeds the allocated buffer size during RTSP service operations. This heap-based overflow condition allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability extends beyond just the User-Agent header to include unspecified vectors related to HTTP URL scheme parsing, suggesting multiple attack surfaces within the server's protocol handling mechanisms. The root cause aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking permits memory corruption through excessive data input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is severe and far-reaching for organizations utilizing affected Helix DNA Server versions. Remote attackers can leverage this weakness to gain complete control over affected servers, potentially leading to data breaches, service disruption, and unauthorized access to network resources. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to compromise systems, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where such media servers often operate with elevated privileges. The attack surface includes not only the RTSP service but also HTTP URL parsing functionality, increasing the potential attack vectors available to threat actors.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including applying the vendor-provided patches or updates released to address this vulnerability. Network segmentation and firewall rules should be configured to restrict access to the affected server ports, particularly RTSP and HTTP services. Monitoring for suspicious User-Agent headers and unusual URL patterns can help detect exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety practices, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for client execution. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar memory corruption issues in other network services and applications.