CVE-2007-0578 in mpg123
Summary
by MITRE
The http_open function in httpget.c in mpg123 before 0.64 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop) by closing the HTTP connection early.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0578 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the mpg123 media player software ecosystem. This vulnerability specifically affects the http_open function implementation in the httpget.c module of mpg123 versions prior to 0.64. The flaw manifests when remote attackers exploit a condition where an HTTP connection is prematurely terminated by the client during the download process. The mp3 player software, designed to stream audio content over HTTP protocols, fails to properly handle abrupt connection closures, leading to an infinite loop condition within its network handling mechanisms. This behavior fundamentally disrupts the normal operation of the application and renders it unresponsive to further requests.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate error handling within the HTTP connection management code. When the http_open function encounters an early closure of the HTTP connection, it fails to implement proper state checks or connection validation routines that would normally terminate or reset the connection handling process. Instead, the software enters a loop where it continuously attempts to process the broken connection, leading to resource exhaustion and application hang conditions. This flaw falls under the category of improper error handling as classified by CWE-704, which specifically addresses situations where software fails to properly manage exceptional conditions that occur during network operations. The infinite loop behavior directly aligns with CWE-835, which describes conditions where a loop lacks proper termination conditions or fails to account for exceptional program states.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security and availability concerns for systems utilizing mpg123 for audio streaming services. Attackers can exploit this flaw by simply initiating an HTTP connection to the mpg123 service and then immediately closing it, causing the application to enter an infinite loop that consumes system resources and prevents legitimate users from accessing audio content. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in server environments where mpg123 operates as a streaming service, as it can be exploited to perform low-bandwidth denial of service attacks that are difficult to detect and mitigate. The flaw affects the availability aspect of the CIA triad by compromising the system's ability to provide continuous service to authorized users, making it a serious concern for media streaming platforms and audio distribution services.
The remediation for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of mpg123 installations to version 0.64 or later, which includes enhanced error handling for HTTP connection management. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect unusual connection patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts, and consider implementing connection timeout mechanisms to prevent indefinite hanging of network operations. The fix addresses the underlying issue by ensuring that the http_open function properly validates connection states and terminates processing when connections are closed prematurely. Security professionals should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of mpg123 services to untrusted networks, while following ATT&CK framework guidance for network service hardening. Additionally, organizations should maintain regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify and remediate similar issues in other network-dependent applications that may exhibit comparable error handling deficiencies. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and error handling in network services, as outlined in various security frameworks including NIST SP 800-53 and ISO 27001 standards for secure application development practices.