CVE-2025-26307 in libming
Summary
by MITRE • 02/20/2025
A memory leak has been identified in the parseSWF_IMPORTASSETS2 function in util/parser.c of libming v0.4.8, which allows attackers to cause a denial of service via a crafted SWF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2025-26307 represents a critical memory management flaw within the libming library version 0.4.8, specifically within the parseSWF_IMPORTASSETS2 function located in util/parser.c. This memory leak occurs when processing specially crafted SWF files that exploit the library's handling of asset import operations. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-401 Memory Leak, where allocated memory is not properly released during the parsing process, leading to gradual resource exhaustion over time.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory deallocation within the SWF parsing logic that processes import asset operations. When the parseSWF_IMPORTASSETS2 function encounters malformed or crafted SWF content containing specific asset import directives, it fails to correctly free previously allocated memory blocks. This memory management failure creates a condition where each processed malicious SWF file consumes additional memory without proper cleanup, eventually depleting available system resources. The vulnerability operates at the application level and can be triggered through any software component that relies on libming for SWF file processing, including web applications, content management systems, and multimedia processing tools.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-26307 extends beyond simple resource exhaustion, creating potential for significant service disruption and system instability. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by preparing and delivering malicious SWF files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, will cause progressive memory consumption until system performance degrades or complete system failure occurs. This denial of service condition affects both server-side applications and client-side software that utilize libming, potentially impacting web browsers, multimedia players, and content creation tools. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal technical expertise and can be automated, making it particularly dangerous for systems that process untrusted SWF content without proper validation or sandboxing measures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-26307 should prioritize immediate patching of libming to version 0.4.9 or later, which contains the necessary memory management fixes for the parseSWF_IMPORTASSETS2 function. Organizations should implement input validation and sanitization measures to filter out potentially malicious SWF files before processing, while also establishing memory monitoring and alerting systems to detect unusual resource consumption patterns. Network-level protections such as content filtering and web application firewalls can help prevent the delivery of malicious SWF files to vulnerable systems. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing sandboxing techniques and resource limits for applications that process SWF content, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for resource exhaustion attacks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar memory management issues in other libraries and components that may be susceptible to analogous flaws.