CVE-2008-5240 in xine-lib
Summary
by MITRE
xine-lib 1.1.12, and other 1.1.15 and earlier versions, relies on an untrusted input value to determine the memory allocation and does not check the result for (1) the MATROSKA_ID_TR_CODECPRIVATE track entry element processed by demux_matroska.c; and (2) PROP_TAG, (3) MDPR_TAG, and (4) CONT_TAG chunks processed by the real_parse_headers function in demux_real.c; which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (NULL pointer dereference and crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5240 affects xine-lib versions 1.1.12 and earlier, including 1.1.15, presenting a critical security flaw in multimedia handling mechanisms. This issue stems from improper input validation within the library's demultiplexing components that process various media container formats. The vulnerability manifests when the library processes specially crafted media files that contain maliciously constructed values in specific data structures, leading to unpredictable behavior in memory management operations.
The technical flaw resides in the demux_matroska.c component where the MATROSKA_ID_TR_CODECPRIVATE track entry element is processed without adequate validation of input values that determine memory allocation sizes. Similarly, the demux_real.c file contains the real_parse_headers function that handles PROP_TAG, MDPR_TAG, and CONT_TAG chunks without proper bounds checking on user-supplied values. These components directly rely on untrusted input to calculate memory allocation parameters, creating a path for attackers to manipulate the allocation process through crafted media files.
This vulnerability creates a significant operational impact by allowing remote attackers to trigger either denial of service conditions through NULL pointer dereferences and application crashes, or potentially achieve arbitrary code execution on systems running vulnerable versions of xine-lib. The flaw affects systems that utilize xine-lib for multimedia playback, including media centers, web browsers with embedded xine support, and any applications that depend on this library for handling multimedia content. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur through network-based delivery of malicious media files without requiring local system access.
The vulnerability maps to CWE-129 in the Common Weakness Enumeration, specifically addressing "Improper Validation of Array Index" and CWE-787 "Out-of-bounds Write" as it involves improper handling of input values that control memory allocation and access patterns. From the MITRE ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability aligns with T1203 "Exploitation for Client Execution" and T1499 "Endpoint Denial of Service" techniques, as it enables remote code execution and system availability disruption. The attack surface is broad since xine-lib is widely used across various multimedia applications, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation.
Organizations should immediately upgrade to xine-lib versions 1.1.16 or later where this vulnerability has been patched. System administrators should also implement network-based filtering to block suspicious media file types and consider sandboxing multimedia processing components. Additionally, regular security assessments should verify that no vulnerable versions remain in production environments, and application developers should review their multimedia handling code for similar input validation issues. The patch typically addresses the root cause by implementing proper input validation and bounds checking before memory allocation decisions are made, ensuring that malicious input values cannot manipulate the allocation process.