CVE-2018-13251 in libming
Summary
by MITRE
In libming 0.4.8, there is an excessive memory allocation attempt in the readBytes function of the util/read.c file, related to parseSWF_DEFINEBITSJPEG2. Remote attackers could leverage this vulnerability to cause a denial-of-service via a crafted swf file.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/03/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-13251 resides within the libming library version 0.4.8, specifically within the util/read.c file where the readBytes function demonstrates problematic memory allocation behavior. This flaw occurs during the processing of SWF files when parsing the SWF_DEFINEBITSJPEG2 tag, which is used to define JPEG compressed bitmaps within flash content. The issue manifests when the library attempts to allocate memory for data that has been malformed or crafted in a particular way, leading to excessive memory consumption that can overwhelm the target system's resources.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and memory management within the parsing routine. When a maliciously crafted SWF file contains a SWF_DEFINEBITSJPEG2 tag with malformed data, the readBytes function attempts to allocate memory based on values that have been manipulated by the attacker. This creates a scenario where the memory allocation request grows exponentially or becomes unbounded, causing the application to consume excessive system resources. The vulnerability represents a classic denial-of-service condition where legitimate system resources are consumed in a way that prevents normal operation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems that process SWF files, particularly web applications, content management systems, and any software that relies on libming for flash content handling. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness by simply providing a malicious SWF file that triggers the vulnerable code path, requiring no special privileges or authentication. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as the excessive memory allocation can cause system instability, application crashes, or even complete system hangs depending on the target environment's resource constraints and memory management policies.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-770, which addresses allocation of resources without limits or with inadequate limits, and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. Organizations utilizing libming for SWF processing should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of the library, implementing input validation for SWF files, and deploying network segmentation to limit exposure to potentially malicious content. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual memory consumption patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts, and regular security assessments should verify that all SWF processing components are updated to prevent this class of vulnerability from being leveraged in targeted attacks.