CVE-2006-7095 in dim3
Summary
by MITRE
Integer signedness error in the network_receive_packet function in socket.c in dimension 3 engine (dim3) 1.5 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a large data_len value, which is cast to a signed short and results in a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-7095 represents a critical integer signedness error within the dimension 3 engine version 1.5 and earlier, specifically affecting the network_receive_packet function in socket.c. This flaw demonstrates a fundamental issue in how the system handles network packet data length values, creating a pathway for remote exploitation that can result in both denial of service conditions and potential arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability resides in the core networking functionality of the dim3 engine, which is a multimedia framework used for processing and rendering various digital content types.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of the data_len parameter within the network_receive_packet function. When a remote attacker sends a specially crafted network packet with an excessively large data_len value, the system casts this value to a signed short integer type. This casting operation introduces a critical flaw because signed short integers have a limited range, typically from -32,768 to 32,767. When the attacker provides a value that exceeds this positive range, the integer overflow occurs, causing the value to wrap around to a negative number. This negative value then gets interpreted as a buffer size, leading to a buffer overflow condition that can corrupt memory structures and potentially allow code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios. While the primary effect manifests as application crashes due to the buffer overflow conditions, the secondary impact involves potential remote code execution capabilities. Attackers can leverage this flaw to manipulate memory layout and potentially inject malicious code into the running process. The vulnerability affects systems using the dim3 engine, which was commonly deployed in multimedia applications, digital content management systems, and various networked multimedia processing environments. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur without requiring local access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow and underflow conditions, and demonstrates how improper integer handling can lead to severe security implications. The attack pattern corresponds to techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1203, which covers Exploitation for Client Execution, and T1499, which covers Network Denial of Service. The integer signedness error creates a condition where the attacker can manipulate the signed integer to produce unexpected behavior, making this a classic example of how seemingly minor programming errors can result in significant security consequences. Organizations using affected versions of the dim3 engine should implement immediate mitigations including software updates, input validation restrictions, and network segmentation to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability.
The root cause analysis reveals that this vulnerability represents a failure in proper input validation and integer type management within the network processing subsystem. The casting operation from an unsigned data_len value to a signed short type creates an inherent mismatch that allows attackers to manipulate the system behavior through carefully crafted network traffic. This flaw demonstrates the importance of proper integer handling in security-critical code and highlights the need for comprehensive testing of boundary conditions in network protocol implementations. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of how legacy systems and older software versions often contain such fundamental flaws that can be exploited by modern attackers to gain unauthorized access or disrupt system operations.