CVE-2008-5030 in Libcaudio
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the cddb_read_disc_data function in cddb.c in libcdaudio 0.99.12p2 allows remote CDDB servers to execute arbitrary code via long CDDB data.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/21/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5030 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within the libcdaudio library version 0.99.12p2. This vulnerability specifically affects the cddb_read_disc_data function in the cddb.c source file, creating a pathway for remote code execution when processing CDDB data from malicious servers. The issue arises from insufficient input validation and bounds checking during the parsing of CDDB responses, which are commonly used by audio CD ripping and management applications to retrieve metadata about discs from online databases. The heap-based nature of this overflow indicates that the vulnerable code manipulates heap-allocated memory without proper size verification, making it susceptible to memory corruption that can be exploited by attackers.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs when a malicious CDDB server responds with excessively long data fields that exceed the allocated buffer space within the cddb_read_disc_data function. This condition leads to memory corruption that can overwrite adjacent heap memory regions, potentially allowing an attacker to manipulate program execution flow through controlled data injection. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability stems from the fact that CDDB servers are typically accessed over network connections, meaning that any application using libcdaudio to query CDDB databases becomes a potential target. The attack vector involves sending specially crafted CDDB responses that contain oversized strings or data structures, which when processed by the vulnerable function trigger the buffer overflow condition.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5030 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity violations. Applications that rely on libcdaudio for CDDB functionality, including music management software, CD ripper utilities, and audio cataloging tools, become vulnerable to remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently connect to untrusted CDDB servers or when applications automatically fetch metadata from online sources without proper sanitization. The memory corruption resulting from this overflow can lead to application crashes, denial of service conditions, or more severe exploitation outcomes where attackers gain arbitrary code execution privileges. Given that libcdaudio was widely used in various multimedia applications, the potential attack surface for this vulnerability was substantial.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5030 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches from vendors, as the most effective solution involves upgrading to a patched version of libcdaudio that implements proper bounds checking and input validation. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and firewall rules to restrict access to CDDB servers, particularly when using applications that query these databases. Additionally, applications using libcdaudio should be configured to validate and sanitize all CDDB data before processing, implementing input length restrictions and buffer size checks. From a security standards perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a classic example of improper input validation that can lead to arbitrary code execution. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a code injection technique under the T1059.007 sub-technique, where adversaries leverage buffer overflows to execute malicious code in the context of vulnerable applications. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention mechanisms to provide additional layers of defense against exploitation attempts.