CVE-2007-6630 in Feng
Summary
by MITRE
The Url_init function in utils/url.c in Netembryo 0.0.4, when used by LScube Feng, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL dereference and daemon crash) via a malformed URI containing a "/:" sequence, as demonstrated by a "DESCRIBE /: RTSP/1.0" request.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6630 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the Netembryo 0.0.4 media streaming framework, specifically affecting the LScube Feng implementation. This issue manifests through the Url_init function located in utils/url.c, which fails to properly validate URI sequences during processing. The flaw occurs when the system encounters a malformed URI containing the specific "/:" sequence, creating a condition where the application's internal state becomes corrupted. The attack vector is particularly insidious as it requires only a single malformed request to trigger the vulnerability, making it highly exploitable in networked environments where RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol) services are exposed. The vulnerability directly maps to CWE-476, which describes NULL pointer dereference conditions that can lead to application crashes and system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the URL parsing mechanism. When the Url_init function processes a URI containing the "/:" sequence, it fails to properly handle the edge case where a forward slash is immediately followed by a colon character. This malformed sequence causes the application's internal URI parser to generate a NULL reference during subsequent processing steps, ultimately leading to a segmentation fault and daemon crash. The specific demonstration case of "DESCRIBE /: RTSP/1.0" illustrates how a single malformed RTSP command can trigger the vulnerability, as the parser incorrectly interprets the "/:" as a valid path component while failing to properly validate the structure. This behavior aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which covers network denial of service attacks that target application-level processing failures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can be leveraged by remote attackers to systematically crash streaming services without requiring authentication or elevated privileges. The daemon crash resulting from this vulnerability effectively renders the affected media streaming service unavailable to legitimate users, creating a denial of service condition that can persist until manual intervention occurs. Network administrators and security professionals must understand that this vulnerability operates at the application layer, making it particularly dangerous in environments where media streaming services are publicly accessible. The lack of authentication requirements means that any remote entity can potentially exploit this flaw, making it a high-priority concern for organizations maintaining streaming infrastructure. This vulnerability also demonstrates the importance of robust input validation and proper error handling in network services, as the failure to anticipate edge cases in URI parsing leads directly to system instability and service unavailability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6630 should focus on immediate patching of the affected Netembryo 0.0.4 framework, as this represents the most effective solution to prevent exploitation. Organizations should implement comprehensive input validation measures that specifically address malformed URI sequences, including the "/:" pattern that triggers this vulnerability. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor for suspicious RTSP requests containing malformed URIs, providing an additional layer of defense. Security teams should also consider implementing rate limiting and connection monitoring to detect and prevent exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of thorough testing for edge cases in URI parsing functions, particularly in protocols like RTSP that are commonly targeted by attackers. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other media streaming implementations and ensure that proper error handling mechanisms are in place to prevent NULL dereference conditions from causing system crashes. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices and the potential consequences of inadequate input validation in network services.