CVE-2025-26304 in libming
Summary
by MITRE • 02/20/2025
A memory leak has been identified in the parseSWF_EXPORTASSETS function in util/parser.c of libming v0.4.8.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2025
The memory leak vulnerability CVE-2025-26304 resides within the libming library version 0.4.8, specifically within the parseSWF_EXPORTASSETS function located in util/parser.c. This library serves as a utility for parsing and manipulating flash swf files, making it a critical component in various multimedia applications and development tools. The vulnerability manifests when the function processes certain SWF asset exports, failing to properly release allocated memory resources during the parsing operation. This memory management flaw represents a classic software defect that can be categorized under CWE-401, which specifically addresses improper management of dynamic memory allocation. The issue stems from the function's inability to correctly handle memory deallocation when processing complex or malformed SWF export structures, leading to progressive memory consumption over time.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource exhaustion, as it creates a persistent memory leak that can degrade system performance and potentially lead to application crashes or system instability. When applications utilizing libming repeatedly process SWF files containing specific export asset structures, the cumulative memory consumption can escalate to critical levels, particularly in long-running processes or server environments. Attackers could exploit this vulnerability through crafted SWF files that trigger the problematic parseSWF_EXPORTASSETS function, enabling a form of resource exhaustion attack that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.200, specifically targeting resource exhaustion in applications. The vulnerability's exploitation requires the target application to process malicious SWF content, making it particularly relevant in web applications, content management systems, or multimedia processing pipelines that accept user-uploaded SWF files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-26304 should prioritize immediate patching of the libming library to version 0.4.9 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes. Organizations should implement input validation measures to sanitize SWF file uploads and consider employing sandboxing techniques to isolate SWF processing operations. Additionally, monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual memory consumption patterns in applications that utilize libming, enabling early detection of potential exploitation attempts. The fix implemented in the patched version addresses the root cause by ensuring proper memory deallocation in all code paths within the parseSWF_EXPORTASSETS function, thereby preventing the accumulation of unreleased memory blocks. Security teams should also conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all systems that depend on libming, particularly those handling untrusted SWF content, and consider implementing network segmentation to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.