CVE-2011-5052 in Stream Down
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in CoCSoft Stream Down 6.8.0 allows remote web servers to execute arbitrary code via a long response to a download request.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/05/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-5052 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in CoCSoft Stream Down version 6.8.0 that exposes remote web servers to potential arbitrary code execution. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation within the software's handling of download requests, creating a pathway for malicious actors to exploit the application's memory management mechanisms. The flaw specifically manifests when the application processes a response to a download request that exceeds the allocated buffer space on the stack, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged for code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic stack buffer overflow pattern where an attacker crafts a malicious response containing an excessive amount of data that overflows the designated stack buffer. This overflow corrupts adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers, allowing an attacker to redirect program execution flow to malicious code injected into the buffer. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and requires network connectivity to the affected service, making it particularly dangerous in web server environments where such applications might be exposed to untrusted input from remote clients.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on CoCSoft Stream Down for media streaming services. Remote code execution capabilities enable attackers to gain full control over affected systems, potentially leading to complete system compromise, data exfiltration, and establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not require physical access or local network presence to carry out successful attacks, making it particularly attractive for automated exploitation campaigns. Security professionals should recognize this as a high-severity issue that requires immediate attention and remediation.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. This classification indicates that the flaw stems from improper memory management practices during input processing, particularly in scenarios where the application fails to validate the length of received data before copying it into fixed-size buffers. The attack vector follows patterns consistent with ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of the CoCSoft Stream Down application to the latest version that addresses the buffer overflow issue. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure of vulnerable services to untrusted networks, and deploy intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious traffic patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Input validation measures should be strengthened at all network boundaries to filter out potentially malicious payloads before they reach vulnerable applications. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify similar issues in other software components that might present analogous buffer overflow risks, ensuring comprehensive protection against similar exploitation techniques.