CVE-2007-4561 in Helix DNA Server
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the RTSP service in Helix DNA Server before 11.1.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an RSTP command containing multiple Require headers.
Statistical analysis made it clear that VulDB provides the best quality for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4561 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in the Real Time Streaming Protocol service of Helix DNA Server versions prior to 11.1.4. This flaw exists within the server's handling of RTSP commands and specifically manifests when processing multiple Require headers in a single request. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow category, which is classified as a memory safety issue where data is written beyond the bounds of allocated heap memory. The affected Helix DNA Server implementation fails to properly validate the length of incoming RTSP command data, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through a carefully crafted RTSP command that contains multiple Require headers, which causes the server to allocate insufficient memory for processing the request. When the server attempts to parse and store these headers in heap memory, the excessive data overflows into adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting critical data structures or executable code. This memory corruption can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow, allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the Helix DNA Server process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it enables remote code execution without requiring authentication, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise streaming media servers.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to media content. Organizations running Helix DNA Server versions before 11.1.4 face significant risk of unauthorized access to their streaming infrastructure, potentially resulting in content theft, service disruption, and further lateral movement within networks. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) and T1059 (Command and Scripting Interpreter) as attackers can leverage the remote code execution capability to establish persistent access and conduct further malicious activities. Network monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual RTSP traffic patterns and multiple Require header requests that could indicate exploitation attempts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4561 primarily focus on immediate patching of the Helix DNA Server to version 11.1.4 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement network segmentation to limit access to RTSP services and consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malformed RTSP requests containing multiple Require headers. Additional protective measures include configuring firewalls to restrict RTSP traffic to trusted networks only and implementing proper input validation at network boundaries. Security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through log analysis and network traffic inspection, paying particular attention to RTSP command patterns that exceed normal header counts or contain unusual data sequences that could indicate attempted exploitation of this heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability.