CVE-2012-5876 in MediaHome
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple off-by-one errors in NMMediaServerService.dll in Nero MediaHome 4.5.8.0 and earlier allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a long string in the (1) request line or (2) HTTP Referer header to TCP port 54444, which triggers a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/06/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-5876 represents a critical security flaw in Nero MediaHome 4.5.8.0 and earlier versions, specifically within the NMMediaServerService.dll component. This issue manifests as multiple off-by-one errors that create exploitable conditions in the media server service implementation. The vulnerability affects the TCP port 54444 which serves as the primary communication endpoint for the Nero MediaHome service, making it accessible to remote attackers who can leverage this weakness to disrupt service availability.
The technical exploitation occurs through carefully crafted HTTP requests that contain excessively long strings in either the request line or the HTTP Referer header field. These malformed inputs trigger heap-based buffer overflow conditions within the NMMediaServerService.dll module, causing the application to crash and terminate unexpectedly. The off-by-one errors represent a classic programming flaw where boundary checks are insufficient, allowing memory access beyond allocated buffer limits. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, though the heap-based nature of the specific implementation makes it particularly dangerous in network services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it enables remote attackers to perform denial of service attacks against systems running vulnerable versions of Nero MediaHome. Attackers can exploit this weakness without requiring authentication or special privileges, making it particularly dangerous in environments where the service is exposed to untrusted networks. The vulnerability demonstrates poor input validation practices and inadequate memory management in the media server component, creating a persistent threat vector that can be leveraged repeatedly by malicious actors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-5876 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the latest version of Nero MediaHome that addresses these buffer overflow conditions. Network administrators should implement firewall rules to restrict access to TCP port 54444, particularly when the service is not required for local network operations. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service, emphasizing the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices. Organizations should also consider disabling the media server service entirely if it is not essential for their operations, as this removes the attack surface entirely. Additionally, implementing intrusion detection systems that monitor for unusual HTTP request patterns or long string inputs can provide early warning of exploitation attempts. The remediation process should include thorough testing of patched versions to ensure that the buffer overflow conditions have been properly addressed and that no regressions have been introduced in the service functionality.