CVE-2008-5233 in xine-lib
Summary
by MITRE
xine-lib 1.1.12, and other versions before 1.1.15, does not check for failure of malloc in circumstances including (1) the mymng_process_header function in demux_mng.c, (2) the open_mod_file function in demux_mod.c, and (3) frame_buffer allocation in the real_parse_audio_specific_data function in demux_real.c, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted media file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/26/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5233 affects xine-lib version 1.1.12 and earlier versions up to 1.1.14, representing a critical memory allocation failure issue that exposes the multimedia library to potential remote exploitation. This flaw resides within the core demultiplexer components responsible for processing various media formats including mng, mod, and real media files. The vulnerability manifests when the software fails to properly validate memory allocation results, creating opportunities for malicious actors to craft specially designed media files that trigger memory allocation failures during playback operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability spans three distinct functions within the xine-lib codebase, each presenting unique attack vectors that collectively weaken the library's memory management integrity. The first vulnerable function, mymng_process_header in demux_mng.c, demonstrates improper error handling when processing mng format headers where malloc calls are not validated for successful completion. The second vulnerable function, open_mod_file in demux_mod.c, exhibits similar memory allocation shortcomings during module file processing, while the third vulnerable point occurs in real_parse_audio_specific_data within demux_real.c during frame buffer allocation. These functions represent critical points in the media processing pipeline where insufficient error checking allows allocation failures to propagate unchecked into the application's execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments. When attackers craft malicious media files that cause malloc to fail during these specific processing stages, the application may crash or, in more severe cases, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable xine-lib component. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-704, which describes improper handling of memory allocation failures, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter execution. The denial of service aspect specifically relates to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service, while the potential remote code execution capability corresponds to T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-5233 require immediate implementation of version updates to xine-lib 1.1.15 or later, which contain the necessary memory allocation validation fixes. System administrators should prioritize patching all affected systems running vulnerable versions of xine-lib, particularly those serving media content over networks or handling untrusted media files. Additional defensive measures include implementing strict input validation for media files, deploying network segmentation to limit exposure, and establishing monitoring protocols to detect anomalous memory allocation patterns. The vulnerability's nature as a memory allocation failure underscores the importance of implementing robust error handling practices and comprehensive memory management checks throughout the application lifecycle, aligning with industry best practices for secure coding standards and defensive programming methodologies.