CVE-2008-5246 in xine-lib
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple heap-based buffer overflows in xine-lib before 1.1.15 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors that send ID3 data to the (1) id3v22_interp_frame and (2) id3v24_interp_frame functions in src/demuxers/id3.c. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5246 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow in xine-lib version 1.1.14 and earlier, which exposes a significant security risk for multimedia applications. This flaw affects the ID3 metadata parsing functionality within the multimedia library, specifically targeting the id3v22_interp_frame and id3v24_interp_frame functions located in the src/demuxers/id3.c source file. The vulnerability enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running affected versions of xine-lib, making it a particularly dangerous issue for media playback applications.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the ID3 metadata parsing routines. When xine-lib processes multimedia files containing ID3 tags, the library fails to properly bounds-check the data during parsing of both ID3v2.2 and ID3v2.4 formats. This insufficient validation allows attackers to craft specially malformed ID3 frames that exceed the allocated buffer space, causing heap corruption and potentially enabling code execution. The heap-based nature of the overflow means that memory corruption occurs in the heap segment rather than on the stack, making exploitation more complex but equally dangerous.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can be leveraged to compromise entire multimedia applications and potentially underlying systems. Attackers can craft malicious media files with specially constructed ID3 metadata that, when played through vulnerable xine-lib implementations, triggers the buffer overflow condition. This scenario is particularly concerning because it can be exploited through various attack vectors including web-based media players, email attachments, or file sharing systems where multimedia content is processed. The vulnerability affects not only direct xine-lib usage but also applications that depend on it, such as various media players and streaming services that incorporate the library for multimedia processing.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation in multimedia processing libraries. From an ATT&CK perspective, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 for execution through command and scripting interpreter, and T1203 for exploitation of remote services. The attack surface is broadened by the widespread use of xine-lib in multimedia applications, making this vulnerability particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to exploit multimedia processing pipelines. Organizations using applications built on xine-lib should prioritize patching to version 1.1.15 or later, as this release includes fixes for the identified buffer overflow conditions in the ID3 parsing functions.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of affected systems, followed by network-level restrictions that prevent processing of untrusted media files through vulnerable applications. Additional defensive measures include implementing application whitelisting for multimedia players, deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious media file processing patterns, and conducting thorough security assessments of multimedia applications that utilize xine-lib. The vulnerability also underscores the importance of regular security updates for multimedia libraries, as these components are frequently targeted due to their widespread use in entertainment and productivity applications. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for media processing to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.