CVE-2017-11730 in Ming
Summary
by MITRE
A heap-based buffer over-read was found in the function OpCode (called from decompileINCR_DECR line 1474) in util/decompile.c in Ming 0.4.8, which allows attackers to cause a denial of service via a crafted file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/14/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-11730 represents a critical heap-based buffer over-read condition within the Ming library version 0.4.8. This flaw exists in the OpCode function located in the util/decompile.c file and specifically manifests when processing crafted input files through the decompileINCR_DECR function at line 1474. The Ming library serves as a cross-platform multimedia library that provides support for various multimedia formats including flash and other vector graphics, making it a widely used component in applications requiring rich media handling capabilities. The buffer over-read vulnerability occurs when the application attempts to read memory beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior and system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a specially formatted file that triggers the flawed OpCode function during the decompilation process. When the decompileINCR_DECR function calls OpCode with malicious input, the heap memory management becomes corrupted as the function attempts to access memory locations that extend beyond the intended buffer limits. This over-read condition can result in the application reading sensitive data from adjacent memory locations, potentially exposing confidential information or causing memory corruption that leads to application crashes. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability indicates that the memory allocation occurs dynamically during runtime, making the exploitation more complex but also more dangerous as it can affect the overall memory integrity of the application.
The operational impact of CVE-2017-11730 extends beyond simple denial of service, as it can potentially enable more sophisticated attacks depending on the environment where the vulnerable application operates. When exploited, this vulnerability can cause applications using the Ming library to crash or become unresponsive, effectively rendering them unavailable to legitimate users. The vulnerability particularly affects systems that process untrusted multimedia files, such as web browsers, media players, or content management systems that utilize the Ming library for handling flash content or vector graphics. From a cybersecurity perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and represents a significant risk in environments where users might encounter maliciously crafted media files. The vulnerability can be leveraged by attackers to perform persistent denial of service attacks against systems that rely on the affected library, potentially disrupting business operations or user experience.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2017-11730 should focus on immediate patching of the Ming library to version 0.4.9 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to prevent the buffer over-read condition. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes to ensure all instances of the affected library are updated across their infrastructure. Additionally, input validation measures should be strengthened to prevent processing of untrusted files, and sandboxing techniques can be employed to isolate applications that handle multimedia content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in preventing heap-based buffer overflows, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059 for execution through command-line interfaces and T1499 for network disruption. Security teams should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring for suspicious file processing activities that might indicate exploitation attempts.