CVE-2016-9829 in libming
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the parseSWF_DEFINEFONT function in parser.c in the listswf tool in libming 0.4.7 allows remote attackers to have unspecified impact via a crafted SWF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/15/2020
The heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-9829 resides within the libming library version 0.4.7, specifically in the listswf tool's parser.c component. This flaw manifests in the parseSWF_DEFINEFONT function where improper input validation leads to memory corruption when processing specially crafted SWF files. The vulnerability represents a classic heap overflow condition that can be exploited remotely through malicious file delivery, making it particularly dangerous in web-based environments where SWF content is commonly encountered.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during the parsing of Adobe Flash SWF file structures, particularly when handling font definition records. When the parseSWF_DEFINEFONT function processes malformed font data, it fails to properly validate the size parameters of the font definition blocks, allowing attackers to write beyond allocated heap memory boundaries. This heap corruption can result in arbitrary code execution, application crashes, or information disclosure depending on the specific memory layout and exploitation conditions. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow classification and represents a critical security flaw in multimedia processing libraries.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-9829 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as remote code execution capabilities could enable attackers to compromise systems running applications that utilize the vulnerable libming library. This vulnerability affects any software that processes SWF files through the listswf tool or similar components within libming, including web browsers, content management systems, and multimedia processing applications. The remote exploitation nature means that simply opening a malicious SWF file could trigger the vulnerability, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to deliver malware or establish persistent access to target systems.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability should include immediate patching of libming to version 0.4.8 or later, which contains the necessary buffer overflow protections and input validation fixes. Organizations should also implement network-level restrictions to block SWF file downloads or execution where possible, particularly in environments where SWF content is not essential to business operations. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management and input validation in multimedia processing libraries, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate program execution and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of vulnerable versions of libming and related tools, while monitoring for suspicious file processing activities that could indicate exploitation attempts.