CVE-2008-5236 in xine
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple heap-based buffer overflows in xine-lib 1.1.12, and other 1.1.15 and earlier versions, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors related to (1) a crafted EBML element length processed by the parse_block_group function in demux_matroska.c; (2) a certain combination of sps, w, and h values processed by the real_parse_audio_specific_data and demux_real_send_chunk functions in demux_real.c; and (3) an unspecified combination of three values processed by the open_ra_file function in demux_realaudio.c. NOTE: vector 2 reportedly exists because of an incomplete fix in 1.1.15.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/24/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2008-5236 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow issue affecting xine-lib multimedia framework versions 1.1.12 and earlier, including the 1.1.15 release which contained an incomplete patch. This vulnerability impacts multiple components within the multimedia processing pipeline, specifically targeting the demux_matroska.c, demux_real.c, and demux_realaudio.c modules. The flaw manifests through three distinct attack vectors that exploit different parsing functions within the library's media demultiplexing capabilities.
The first vector involves manipulation of EBML element lengths within the parse_block_group function located in demux_matroska.c, where crafted malicious data can cause buffer overflows during the processing of matroska container format files. The second vulnerability stems from the real_parse_audio_specific_data and demux_real_send_chunk functions in demux_real.c, where specific combinations of sps, w, and h parameters can trigger memory corruption through improper bounds checking. The third vector operates through the open_ra_file function in demux_realaudio.c, where an unspecified combination of three values leads to heap corruption during realaudio file processing.
These buffer overflow conditions create significant security risks as they allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of xine-lib. The heap-based nature of the overflow means that attackers can potentially overwrite critical memory structures, function pointers, or return addresses, enabling code execution with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability affects systems that utilize xine-lib for multimedia playback, including various media players, streaming applications, and embedded systems that depend on this library for audio and video processing.
The exploitation of these vulnerabilities aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute malicious code remotely. The presence of an incomplete fix in version 1.1.15 demonstrates a common challenge in vulnerability remediation where patches fail to address all related attack vectors, leaving systems exposed to continued exploitation. This vulnerability represents a classic example of how multimedia libraries can become attack surfaces when they process untrusted input without proper bounds checking and memory validation.
Organizations should prioritize immediate patching to versions of xine-lib that contain complete fixes for all three identified vectors. System administrators should also implement network segmentation and input validation controls to limit exposure, while monitoring for suspicious network traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of comprehensive testing and validation of security patches, particularly in widely-used multimedia libraries that form the foundation of numerous applications across different platforms and operating systems.