CVE-2008-4829 in Streamripper
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in lib/http.c in Streamripper 1.63.5 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a long "Zwitterion v" HTTP header, related to the http_parse_sc_header function; (2) a crafted pls playlist with a long entry, related to the http_get_pls function; or (3) a crafted m3u playlist with a long File entry, related to the http_get_m3u function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-4829 represents a critical security flaw in Streamripper version 1.63.5 that exposes the application to remote code execution through multiple buffer overflow conditions. This issue affects the core HTTP handling functionality of the media streaming client, specifically targeting the lib/http.c module where several parsing functions fail to properly validate input lengths before processing. The vulnerability impacts the application's ability to handle various playlist formats including PLS and M3U files, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through different attack vectors that all leverage malformed HTTP headers and playlist entries.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking within three distinct functions: http_parse_sc_header, http_get_pls, and http_get_m3u. These functions process different types of media playlist formats and HTTP headers without adequate input validation, creating opportunities for attackers to overflow buffers in memory. When a maliciously crafted HTTP header containing an excessively long "Zwitterion v" field is received, or when processing PLS or M3U playlist files with overly long entries, the application's memory management fails to prevent the overflow condition. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers stack-based buffer overflow scenarios. The flaw essentially allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations with malicious data, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant for any system running Streamripper 1.63.5, as it provides remote attackers with a straightforward path to compromise systems through network-based attacks. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by hosting a malicious server that responds with specially crafted HTTP responses or by creating malicious playlist files that when loaded by Streamripper would trigger the buffer overflow conditions. The attack surface extends beyond simple local exploitation since Streamripper is designed to process media streams from remote sources, making it susceptible to man-in-the-middle attacks or compromised content delivery networks. This vulnerability directly aligns with ATT&CK technique T1190, which covers exploits for execution through the manipulation of network services, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreters for execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4829 should prioritize immediate software updates to newer versions of Streamripper that have addressed these buffer overflow conditions through proper input validation and bounds checking. Organizations should implement network-based restrictions to prevent unauthorized access to Streamripper instances and consider deploying network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual HTTP traffic patterns or playlist file processing that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a prime example of why input validation is critical in network-facing applications and demonstrates the importance of regular security updates and vulnerability management programs to prevent exploitation of known weaknesses in widely used software components.