CVE-2007-0255 in XINE
Summary
by MITRE
XINE 0.99.4 allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a certain M3U file that contains a long #EXTINF line and contains format string specifiers in an invalid udp:// URI, possibly a variant of CVE-2007-0017.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/15/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0255 affects the XINE multimedia player version 0.99.4, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to potentially execute arbitrary code or cause application crashes through maliciously crafted M3U playlist files. This vulnerability specifically targets the player's handling of extended M3U format files, which are commonly used to organize and stream multimedia content. The flaw manifests when the application processes a specially constructed M3U file containing an excessively long #EXTINF line combined with format string specifiers within an invalid udp:// URI, creating a dangerous combination that can be exploited by remote attackers.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in the improper input validation and handling of format string arguments within the XINE player's M3U playlist parser. When processing the malicious M3U file, the application fails to properly sanitize or limit the length of the #EXTINF line, allowing an attacker to inject format string specifiers that are then interpreted by the application's string formatting functions. This improper handling creates a classic buffer overflow condition that can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service. The vulnerability operates under CWE-121, which describes the condition where a program writes data past the end of a fixed-length buffer, and additionally relates to CWE-122, which covers the scenario where a program writes data past the end of a buffer that is not a fixed-length buffer, indicating the presence of improper input validation mechanisms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as the potential for arbitrary code execution makes it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted multimedia content. Attackers can craft M3U files that, when opened by an affected XINE player, trigger the vulnerable code path and execute malicious payloads on the target system. This exploitation capability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers the use of malicious content to gain system access, and potentially T1059 which addresses the execution of commands through various interfaces. The vulnerability affects the application's integrity and availability, making it a significant concern for users who rely on XINE for multimedia playback, particularly in networked environments where playlist files might be shared or distributed.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires a user to open a specifically crafted M3U file, making it a user-assisted remote attack vector that demonstrates the importance of input validation in multimedia applications. The attack can be delivered through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or shared network resources, making it particularly effective in social engineering scenarios where users might be tricked into opening seemingly legitimate playlist files. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability represents a variant of CVE-2007-0017, indicating that similar patterns of improper format string handling exist in the XINE codebase and may require broader code review efforts. Organizations using XINE should immediately implement mitigations including updating to patched versions, implementing strict input validation for playlist files, and educating users about the dangers of opening untrusted multimedia content. The vulnerability also highlights the need for proper bounds checking and input sanitization in multimedia player applications, particularly those handling external playlist formats that may contain user-supplied data.