CVE-2025-26309 in libming
Summary
by MITRE • 02/20/2025
A memory leak has been identified in the parseSWF_DEFINESCENEANDFRAMEDATA 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 CVE-2025-26309 represents a critical memory management flaw within the libming library version 0.4.8, specifically within the parseSWF_DEFINESCENEANDFRAMEDATA function located in util/parser.c. This memory leak occurs when processing specially crafted SWF (Shockwave Flash) files that contain malformed scene and frame data structures. The libming library serves as a SWF file manipulation and parsing library widely used in various applications and systems that handle flash content, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for environments that process untrusted SWF files. The flaw manifests when the parser encounters specific patterns in the SWF file structure that trigger improper memory allocation without subsequent deallocation, leading to progressive memory consumption over time.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate memory management practices within the SWF parsing routine. When the parseSWF_DEFINESCENEANDFRAMEDATA function processes a malicious SWF file, it allocates memory blocks to store scene and frame data but fails to properly release these allocations under certain error conditions or specific data patterns. This memory leak behavior is classified as a CWE-401 weakness, specifically a memory leak, which occurs when allocated memory is not properly deallocated, causing the application to consume increasing amounts of memory until system resources are exhausted. The vulnerability is particularly insidious because SWF files are commonly encountered in web browsers, content management systems, and multimedia applications, providing multiple attack vectors for exploitation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple resource exhaustion, creating a reliable denial of service condition that can severely disrupt system operations. An attacker capable of crafting a malicious SWF file can repeatedly submit such files to a vulnerable system, causing progressive memory consumption that eventually leads to application crashes or complete system unresponsiveness. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in server environments where SWF files are processed automatically, such as content delivery networks, web applications that accept user-uploaded flash content, or multimedia processing systems. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including web applications, email attachments, or file sharing systems that process SWF files without proper validation, potentially affecting thousands of systems that depend on libming for SWF handling.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2025-26309 should focus on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The most direct solution involves upgrading to a patched version of libming where the memory leak has been corrected through proper memory management practices and comprehensive error handling. Organizations should implement strict input validation and sanitization for all SWF file processing, including size limitations, structural validation, and automated scanning for potentially malicious patterns. Additionally, deployment of intrusion detection systems that monitor for abnormal memory consumption patterns and implementing process isolation for SWF processing can help contain the impact of successful exploitation attempts. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1499.004 - Endpoint Denial of Service, highlighting the need for comprehensive defensive measures including network segmentation, process monitoring, and automated patch management to prevent exploitation across enterprise environments.