CVE-2018-5294 in libming
Summary
by MITRE
In libming 0.4.8, there is an integer overflow (caused by an out-of-range left shift) in the readUInt32 function (util/read.c). Remote attackers could leverage this vulnerability to cause a denial-of-service via a crafted swf file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-5294 resides within the libming library version 0.4.8, a widely used software library for generating and manipulating Shockwave Flash SWF files. This particular flaw manifests as an integer overflow condition that occurs during the processing of SWF file structures, specifically within the readUInt32 function located in the util/read.c source file. The root cause of this vulnerability stems from an out-of-range left shift operation that manipulates integer values beyond their intended boundaries, creating a scenario where normal input processing can trigger unexpected behavior in the memory management of the affected application.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves crafting a malicious SWF file that contains specially formatted data structures designed to trigger the integer overflow condition during parsing. When the vulnerable libming library attempts to read and process the crafted uint32 value, the left shift operation executes with an excessively large shift amount, causing the integer to overflow and wrap around to a much smaller value than anticipated. This overflow condition can result in unpredictable memory access patterns and potentially corrupt memory structures, ultimately leading to application instability. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered remotely through the simple act of processing a malicious SWF file, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to disrupt services or systems that utilize libming for SWF file handling.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant denial-of-service risk to systems that rely on libming for SWF file processing, including web applications, content management systems, and media processing platforms. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as the integer overflow can potentially lead to more severe consequences including memory corruption that might be exploitable for additional attack vectors. The vulnerability affects any application or service that utilizes the libming library for SWF file manipulation, particularly those that process untrusted SWF content from external sources. Security analysts have categorized this issue under CWE-191, which specifically addresses integer underflow and overflow conditions, highlighting the fundamental nature of the flaw as a classic integer arithmetic error that has been documented across numerous software systems over many years. The remote exploitation capability of this vulnerability means that attackers can potentially compromise systems without requiring local access or user interaction, making it particularly concerning for web-facing applications.
The mitigation strategies for CVE-2018-5294 primarily involve updating to a patched version of the libming library where the integer overflow condition has been addressed through proper input validation and boundary checking. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems, particularly those that process SWF files from untrusted sources. Additionally, implementing proper input sanitization and validation measures can provide defense-in-depth protection against similar vulnerabilities. Organizations utilizing libming should also consider implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious SWF content. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of thorough input validation and proper integer handling in security-critical applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers exploitation for privilege escalation through memory corruption vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potential integer overflow conditions within the software supply chain, as similar patterns have been observed in numerous other security incidents across different software libraries and applications.