CVE-2007-0406 in gxine
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in the (1) main function in (a) client.c, and the (2) server_setup and (3) server_client_connect functions in (b) server.c in gxine 0.5.9 and earlier allow local users to cause a denial of service (daemon crash) or gain privileges via a long HOME environment variable. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0406 represents a critical buffer overflow issue affecting the gxine media player version 0.5.9 and earlier. This flaw exists within the client.c and server.c source code files, creating multiple attack vectors that can be exploited by local users to compromise system integrity. The vulnerability specifically targets the main function in client.c and the server_setup and server_client_connect functions in server.c, making it particularly dangerous as it affects core operational components of the application's client-server architecture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and buffer size management within the environment variable handling mechanisms. When a local user sets an overly long HOME environment variable, the application fails to properly validate the input length before copying it into fixed-size buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs because the program does not check whether the incoming data exceeds the allocated buffer space, allowing maliciously crafted input to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability manifests through the improper handling of environment variables, which are typically used to store user-specific configuration data but become exploitable when not properly sanitized.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable privilege escalation. While the primary effect described is daemon crash, the nature of buffer overflows in this context suggests that attackers could potentially execute arbitrary code with elevated privileges. The local user exploitation aspect means that any user with access to the system can leverage this vulnerability without requiring network connectivity or remote access. The daemon crash scenario results in service interruption and potential data loss, while the privilege escalation capability could allow attackers to gain root access or administrative privileges, fundamentally compromising system security.
Security professionals should note that this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which addresses heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The attack pattern follows the ATT&CK framework's privilege escalation tactics, specifically targeting local exploitation techniques that leverage application flaws. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of gxine to versions greater than 0.5.9, implementing environment variable length restrictions, and applying input validation controls to prevent buffer overflows. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring for unusual daemon crashes and privilege escalation attempts, as these could indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, the vulnerability highlights the importance of proper buffer management and input validation in all software development practices, particularly for applications that handle user environment variables or external input data.