CVE-2016-9265 in libming
Summary
by MITRE
The printMP3Headers function in listmp3.c in Libming 0.4.7 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (divide-by-zero error and application crash) via a crafted mp3 file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9265 resides within the Libming library version 0.4.7, specifically in the printMP3Headers function located in the listmp3.c source file. This issue represents a classic divide-by-zero error that occurs when processing malformed mp3 files, creating a critical security flaw that can be exploited remotely by attackers to induce system instability. The Libming library serves as a SWF (Shockwave Flash) file manipulation library that includes functionality for handling multimedia content, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for applications that process user-uploaded audio files.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the printMP3Headers function where the code attempts to perform division operations without adequately checking for zero denominators. When a specially crafted mp3 file is processed, the function encounters a scenario where a mathematical division by zero occurs, leading to an immediate application crash and subsequent denial of service condition. This flaw aligns with CWE-369, which specifically addresses the divide-by-zero error condition in software implementations, and represents a fundamental weakness in input sanitization and error handling mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where the code fails to validate the integrity of media file headers before performing mathematical operations.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability creates significant risk for any system or application that utilizes Libming for processing mp3 files, particularly web applications, content management systems, or media processing services that accept user uploads. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious mp3 files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, will trigger the divide-by-zero condition and cause the application to crash. This denial of service scenario can be particularly damaging in environments where continuous availability is critical, such as streaming services, media hosting platforms, or enterprise applications that depend on reliable file processing capabilities. The remote exploitation aspect means that attackers do not need physical access to the system, making this vulnerability highly dangerous in networked environments.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability involve immediate patching of the Libming library to version 0.4.8 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to prevent division-by-zero errors. Organizations should also implement robust input validation measures, including file format checking and header validation before processing any media files. Additionally, implementing proper error handling and exception management within applications that use Libming can help prevent crashes from propagating and maintain system stability even when malformed files are encountered. Security monitoring should include detection of abnormal application behavior or crash patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. This vulnerability highlights the importance of adhering to secure coding practices as outlined in the ATT&CK framework's defense evasion techniques, where improper error handling and input validation can lead to system compromise and service disruption.