CVE-2024-28458 in swftools
Summary
by MITRE • 04/12/2024
Null Pointer Dereference vulnerability in swfdump in swftools 0.9.2 allows attackers to crash the appliation via the function compileSWFActionCode in action/actioncompiler.c.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2024-28458 represents a critical null pointer dereference flaw within the swfdump utility component of the swftools 0.9.2 software suite. This issue specifically manifests within the function compileSWFActionCode located in the action/actioncompiler.c source file, creating a condition where maliciously crafted input can trigger unexpected application termination. The vulnerability affects the broader swftools ecosystem which is commonly used for processing and analyzing flash content, making it a potential target for attackers seeking to disrupt legitimate software operations or exploit the toolchain.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-476, which specifically addresses null pointer dereference conditions in software systems. When an application attempts to access memory through a null pointer reference, the program typically crashes or terminates abruptly, leading to denial of service conditions. In the context of swfdump, this occurs when the compileSWFActionCode function fails to properly validate input parameters before attempting to dereference pointers, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered through carefully crafted SWF file inputs.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple application crashes, as it can be leveraged by attackers to disrupt legitimate software workflows and potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors. Organizations that rely on swftools for processing flash content, including content management systems, security analysis tools, or digital asset management platforms, may experience service interruptions when encountering maliciously formatted SWF files. The vulnerability particularly affects automated processing pipelines where swfdump is invoked programmatically, as these systems may not handle the resulting crashes gracefully, potentially leading to cascading failures in dependent services.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of the swftools 0.9.2 software to address the null pointer dereference condition in the actioncompiler.c file. Additionally, input validation should be strengthened at multiple layers of the application stack to prevent malformed SWF content from reaching the vulnerable code paths. Implementing proper error handling and graceful degradation mechanisms can help prevent complete application termination when encountering malformed input. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing or containerization techniques for SWF processing to limit the impact of potential exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1499.004 technique for avoiding automation, as the denial of service aspect can be leveraged to disrupt automated processing systems that depend on swftools functionality. Regular security updates and vulnerability assessments should be implemented to identify similar issues in other components of the software supply chain, particularly in legacy tools that may not receive regular security maintenance.