CVE-2016-9266 in libming
Summary
by MITRE
listmp3.c in libming 0.4.7 allows remote attackers to unspecified impact via a crafted mp3 file, which triggers an invalid left shift.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9266 represents a critical security flaw within the libming library version 0.4.7, specifically affecting the listmp3.c component. This library serves as a multimedia processing toolset designed for handling various media formats including mp3 files, making it a potential target for remote exploitation. The flaw manifests when the system processes a specially crafted mp3 file that triggers an invalid left shift operation, creating a scenario where the software fails to properly validate input data before performing bitwise operations. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of integer manipulation errors that can lead to unpredictable behavior and potential system compromise.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the mp3 parsing functionality of libming. When a maliciously crafted mp3 file is processed, the software attempts to perform a left shift operation on a value that has been manipulated to exceed acceptable bounds. This invalid left shift creates undefined behavior within the application, potentially leading to memory corruption, stack overflow conditions, or other exploitable states. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic weakness in software design where insufficient bounds checking allows attacker-controlled data to influence critical computational operations. From a cybersecurity perspective, this flaw represents a potential path for remote code execution or denial of service attacks, particularly when the library is integrated into applications that process untrusted media content.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9266 extends beyond simple functionality degradation, as it creates opportunities for sophisticated attack vectors that could compromise entire systems. When exploited, this vulnerability could enable remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on systems running vulnerable versions of applications that utilize libming, particularly those handling multimedia content from untrusted sources. The potential for remote code execution makes this a high-severity issue, especially in environments where multimedia processing occurs without proper input sanitization. Organizations using libming in web applications, media processing servers, or content management systems face significant risk, as the vulnerability could be exploited through simple file uploads or streaming content delivery. The flaw also demonstrates the importance of proper integer overflow handling and input validation in multimedia processing libraries, which are often critical components in content delivery infrastructure.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including updating to patched versions of libming where available, implementing strict input validation for all mp3 file processing operations, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. System administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of vulnerable components and ensure that all multimedia processing occurs within secure sandboxes. The vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the attack tree framework, particularly those involving input manipulation and privilege escalation through software flaws. Organizations should also review their software supply chain processes to ensure that all third-party libraries are kept up to date with security patches and that proper vulnerability management procedures are in place. This case illustrates the critical importance of maintaining current security practices in multimedia software components, as these libraries often serve as attack surfaces for broader system compromises.