CVE-2008-0238 in xine-lib
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple heap-based buffer overflows in the rmff_dump_cont function in input/libreal/rmff.c in xine-lib 1.1.9 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the SDP (1) Title, (2) Author, or (3) Copyright attribute, related to the rmff_dump_header function, different vectors than CVE-2008-0225. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/30/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-0238 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow condition within the xine-lib multimedia library version 1.1.9. This flaw exists in the rmff_dump_cont function located in the input/libreal/rmff.c file, specifically affecting the handling of SDP (Session Description Protocol) attributes within Real Media files. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running affected software, making it a significant security risk for multimedia applications and media servers. The flaw is categorized as a heap overflow due to improper bounds checking when processing user-supplied data, which can lead to memory corruption and potential code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the rmff_dump_header function that processes SDP attributes. Attackers can craft specially malformed Real Media files containing malicious data in the Title, Author, or Copyright attributes of the SDP section. When the vulnerable xine-lib processes these files, the buffer overflow occurs in heap memory, potentially allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious code. This type of vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be exploited through remote file delivery, making it applicable to web-based media servers, email attachments, and file sharing systems.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-0238 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise when exploited successfully. Systems utilizing xine-lib for media playback, including media centers, web browsers with embedded media support, and multimedia applications, become vulnerable to remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability's exploitation can result in privilege escalation, data theft, system takeover, and persistent backdoor installation. Organizations running affected software may experience unauthorized access to sensitive information, service disruption, and potential lateral movement within network environments. The complexity of the attack surface increases when considering that xine-lib was widely used in various multimedia applications, making the potential impact of this vulnerability widespread across different software ecosystems and deployment scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-0238 should focus on immediate software updates and patches from vendors, as the most effective solution involves upgrading to patched versions of xine-lib. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable applications to untrusted network traffic. Input validation and sanitization measures should be enhanced at network boundaries and application layers to filter out malformed media files. Additionally, monitoring for unusual network traffic patterns and file access behaviors can help detect potential exploitation attempts. Security teams should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of known vulnerable multimedia applications and establish incident response procedures for handling potential exploitation attempts. Organizations should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected software versions and prioritize remediation efforts based on risk exposure levels.