CVE-2018-9132 in libming
Summary
by MITRE
libming 0.4.8 has a NULL pointer dereference in the getInt function of the decompile.c file. 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 • 02/24/2023
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-9132 resides within the libming library version 0.4.8, specifically within the decompile.c source file where a NULL pointer dereference occurs in the getInt function. This flaw represents a classic software robustness issue that can be exploited by malicious actors to disrupt system operations. The libming library serves as a SWF (Small Web Format) file manipulation library commonly used for parsing and generating Flash content, making it a critical component in various multimedia applications and web services that process SWF files. The vulnerability manifests when the getInt function attempts to access memory through a NULL pointer reference, which occurs during the parsing of malformed SWF files.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves remote attackers crafting specially designed SWF files that trigger the NULL pointer dereference condition within the getInt function. When a vulnerable application processes such a crafted file, the program flow leads to an attempt to dereference a NULL pointer, resulting in an immediate crash or termination of the application process. This behavior constitutes a denial of service condition where legitimate users are unable to access the affected service or application due to the crash. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because SWF files are commonly encountered in web environments, making this attack vector highly accessible to remote threat actors who can simply host malicious SWF content on compromised websites or deliver it through email attachments.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability can severely affect applications that rely on libming for SWF file processing, including web browsers, content management systems, media players, and various multimedia applications. The denial of service condition can be leveraged to disrupt services for extended periods, potentially causing significant business disruption and user frustration. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers do not need physical access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where SWF content is regularly processed. This type of vulnerability can also serve as a stepping stone for more sophisticated attacks, as the initial crash may be used to establish a foothold for further exploitation attempts.
The vulnerability maps to CWE-476, which specifically addresses NULL pointer dereference conditions in software implementations. This weakness is classified as a fundamental programming error that occurs when code attempts to access memory through a pointer that has not been properly initialized or validated. From the MITRE ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability aligns with the T1499.004 technique related to Network Denial of Service, as it enables remote attackers to disrupt services through crafted input manipulation. The attack surface is particularly broad given that SWF files were widely used in web applications, and the vulnerability affects multiple implementations that utilize libming for SWF processing. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including updating to patched versions of libming, implementing input validation for SWF file processing, and deploying network segmentation to limit exposure. Additionally, application-level sandboxing and proper error handling mechanisms should be enforced to prevent exploitation attempts from causing system-wide disruptions. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and defensive programming practices in multimedia processing libraries that handle untrusted content from external sources.