CVE-2013-1989 in libXv
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in X.org libXv 1.0.7 and earlier allow X servers to trigger allocation of insufficient memory and a buffer overflow via vectors related to the (1) XvQueryPortAttributes, (2) XvListImageFormats, and (3) XvCreateImage function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/14/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1989 represents a critical security flaw within the X.org libXv library version 1.0.7 and earlier implementations. This issue manifests through multiple integer overflow conditions that occur during processing of specific X Window System functions, creating potential pathways for malicious actors to exploit memory allocation weaknesses. The affected library serves as a crucial component for video extension capabilities within X servers, making it a significant target for attackers seeking to compromise graphical systems. The vulnerability specifically impacts three core functions: XvQueryPortAttributes, XvListImageFormats, and XvCreateImage, each of which handles different aspects of video data processing and port management within the X11 framework.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and arithmetic handling within the integer overflow conditions. When X servers process requests through these affected functions, the library fails to properly validate integer values before performing memory allocation operations. This oversight allows attackers to craft malicious requests that cause integer overflow conditions, resulting in insufficient memory allocation for buffer operations. The resulting buffer overflow creates opportunities for arbitrary code execution, memory corruption, and potential privilege escalation within the affected systems. The vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in data handling and arithmetic operations. This weakness directly aligns with the ATT&CK framework's technique T1068, which involves exploiting local privileges to gain elevated system access through memory corruption vulnerabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-1989 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it can potentially enable full system compromise when exploited by skilled attackers. Systems utilizing affected versions of libXv are particularly vulnerable during video processing operations, including multimedia applications, remote desktop connections, and graphics-intensive software. The vulnerability's exploitation requires an attacker to have access to an X server environment, making it particularly concerning for networked systems where X11 forwarding is enabled. Security researchers have noted that the vulnerability can be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected X server process, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The memory corruption aspects of this vulnerability also make it susceptible to various exploitation techniques, including stack smashing and heap corruption attacks, which can be combined with other vulnerabilities to create more sophisticated attack vectors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1989 primarily focus on immediate software updates and system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize updating to libXv versions 1.0.8 or later, which contain patches addressing the integer overflow conditions. System administrators should also implement proper input validation mechanisms and consider disabling unnecessary X11 extensions when not required for system operations. Network segmentation and access controls can help limit exposure by restricting access to X servers and reducing the attack surface. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect anomalous X server behavior and unusual memory allocation patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-190 emphasizes the importance of robust integer handling practices in security-critical software development, particularly for libraries that process untrusted input from networked environments. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies and using memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization to further reduce the exploitation risk.