CVE-2006-4197 in Libmusicbrainz Svn
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in libmusicbrainz (aka mb_client or MusicBrainz Client Library) 2.1.2 and earlier, and SVN 8406 and earlier, allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or execute arbitrary code via (1) a long Location header by the HTTP server, which triggers an overflow in the MBHttp::Download function in lib/http.cpp; and (2) a long URL in RDF data, as demonstrated by a URL in an rdf:resource field in an RDF XML document, which triggers overflows in many functions in lib/rdfparse.c.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-4197 represents a critical security flaw affecting libmusicbrainz version 2.1.2 and earlier, as well as SVN revisions up to 8406. This library serves as the core component for MusicBrainz client applications, enabling them to interact with the MusicBrainz database through HTTP requests and RDF data parsing. The flaw manifests as multiple buffer overflow conditions that can be exploited remotely, potentially leading to system compromise or denial of service. These vulnerabilities specifically target the HTTP response handling and RDF data parsing functionality within the library, making them particularly dangerous for applications that rely on MusicBrainz data integration. The affected functions include MBHttp::Download in lib/http.cpp and numerous functions in lib/rdfparse.c, indicating a widespread impact across the library's core components.
The technical exploitation of these buffer overflows occurs through carefully crafted malicious input that exceeds the allocated buffer sizes in memory. When a remote HTTP server sends a particularly long Location header, the MBHttp::Download function in lib/http.cpp fails to properly validate the input length, allowing the excessive data to overwrite adjacent memory regions. Similarly, when parsing RDF XML documents containing overly long URLs in rdf:resource fields, multiple functions in lib/rdfparse.c encounter buffer overflow conditions. These vulnerabilities fall under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers stack-based buffer overflow scenarios. The exploitation mechanism follows standard buffer overflow patterns where attacker-controlled input exceeds buffer boundaries, potentially corrupting program execution flow or allowing arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-4197 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable remote code execution, making it a severe threat to systems utilizing libmusicbrainz. Applications that depend on this library for MusicBrainz database queries, metadata retrieval, or music identification services become vulnerable to exploitation. The vulnerability affects not only standalone applications but also integrated systems that utilize MusicBrainz client functionality, including media players, music tagging tools, and database management systems. Attackers could leverage these flaws to crash applications, inject malicious code, or potentially gain unauthorized access to systems processing MusicBrainz data. The remote nature of the attack means that vulnerable systems do not require local access to be compromised, significantly expanding the attack surface. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves exploitation of remote services, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreter usage for code execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4197 require immediate patching of affected libmusicbrainz versions to address the buffer overflow conditions. System administrators should upgrade to versions containing fixed implementations of the MBHttp::Download function and RDF parsing routines, ensuring that input validation is properly enforced for HTTP headers and XML data fields. Additionally, network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems should monitor for unusual HTTP header lengths or malformed RDF data that might indicate exploitation attempts. Input sanitization measures should be implemented at application layers that consume libmusicbrainz functionality, including length validation for Location headers and URL fields in RDF documents. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper buffer management and input validation in networked applications, emphasizing the need for defensive programming practices. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems that utilize vulnerable versions of libmusicbrainz, particularly in environments where external HTTP servers or untrusted RDF data sources are processed.