CVE-2014-4166 in DNAS
Summary
by MITRE
Cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability in the song history in SHOUTcast DNAS 2.2.1 allows remote attackers to inject arbitrary web script or HTML via the mp3 title field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/27/2025
The CVE-2014-4166 vulnerability represents a critical cross-site scripting flaw discovered in SHOUTcast DNAS 2.2.1 software, specifically within its song history functionality. This vulnerability resides in the handling of media file metadata, particularly the mp3 title field, which is processed and displayed without adequate input sanitization. The issue manifests when the system fails to properly validate or escape user-supplied data before rendering it in web interfaces, creating an avenue for malicious actors to execute arbitrary scripts within the context of other users' browsers. The vulnerability operates through the web-based administration interface where song history information is displayed, making it accessible to both legitimate users and unauthorized attackers who can leverage this weakness to compromise the application's security posture.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation mechanisms within the SHOUTcast DNAS 2.2.1 codebase. When audio files are processed and their metadata is stored in the song history database, the system does not adequately sanitize the mp3 title field contents before presenting them in web pages. This failure to implement proper output encoding or filtering creates a classic XSS attack vector where malicious scripts can be embedded within the title field itself. Attackers can craft specially formatted titles containing javascript code or html tags that execute when other users view the song history page, potentially leading to session hijacking, credential theft, or further exploitation of the compromised systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-79, which specifically addresses cross-site scripting flaws in web applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple data theft, as it can enable attackers to establish persistent access to systems running vulnerable SHOUTcast DNAS software. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness to inject malicious payloads that target other users within the same network or organization, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects organizations that rely on SHOUTcast for streaming services, particularly those with web-based management interfaces where song history data is publicly accessible or shared among users. This creates a significant risk for radio stations, internet service providers, and any entity using this streaming software without proper security hardening, as the attack surface includes not just the vulnerable application but also any associated user sessions or administrative functions that might be compromised through the XSS payload execution.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-4166 should prioritize immediate software updates to versions that address the identified XSS vulnerability, as well as implementing proper input validation and output encoding mechanisms. Organizations should deploy web application firewalls to filter malicious payloads and establish strict sanitization protocols for all user-supplied data, particularly metadata fields like title information. The implementation of content security policies can further protect against script execution, while regular security assessments should verify that all input handling mechanisms properly escape or validate data before rendering in web contexts. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of applying security patches promptly and maintaining robust input validation practices as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's defensive techniques for preventing code injection attacks, particularly those targeting web application interfaces and user-supplied content processing mechanisms.