CVE-2025-26311 in libming
Summary
by MITRE • 02/20/2025
Multiple memory leaks have been identified in the clip actions parsing functions (parseSWF_CLIPACTIONS and parseSWF_CLIPACTIONRECORD) in util/parser.c of libming v0.4.8, which allow attackers to cause a denial of service via a crafted SWF file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/11/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2025-26311 represents a critical memory management flaw within the libming library version 0.4.8, specifically affecting the SWF file parsing functionality. This issue manifests in the clip actions parsing functions parseSWF_CLIPACTIONS and parseSWF_CLIPACTIONRECORD located in the util/parser.c file, where improper memory handling allows for repeated allocation without corresponding deallocation. The flaw enables attackers to craft malicious SWF files that trigger memory leaks during the parsing process, ultimately leading to resource exhaustion and system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate memory management practices within the SWF parsing routines. When the parser encounters clip action records in SWF files, it fails to properly release allocated memory blocks after processing, creating a gradual accumulation of memory leaks. This memory consumption grows progressively with each parsed clip action record, as the functions do not implement proper cleanup mechanisms for temporary data structures. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically targeting the multimedia content parsing capabilities of software applications that utilize libming for SWF file processing, making it particularly dangerous in environments where SWF files are frequently processed or served to users.
The operational impact of CVE-2025-26311 extends beyond simple resource exhaustion, potentially enabling sophisticated denial of service attacks that can compromise system availability. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by embedding specially crafted clip action records within SWF files, which when processed by vulnerable applications, cause progressive memory consumption until system resources are depleted. This type of attack can be particularly effective in web environments where SWF files are dynamically generated or served, as it can be triggered automatically when users access compromised content. The vulnerability affects any software stack that relies on libming v0.4.8 for SWF parsing operations, including web browsers, multimedia processing applications, and content management systems that handle SWF file uploads or rendering.
Security mitigations for CVE-2025-26311 should focus on immediate patching of the libming library to version 0.4.9 or later, which includes proper memory cleanup routines in the affected parsing functions. Organizations should implement input validation measures that limit the size and complexity of SWF files processed by applications, particularly those handling user-uploaded content. Network-based defenses can include implementing SWF file scanning and sandboxing mechanisms to prevent malicious content from reaching vulnerable applications. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-401, which addresses improper management of memory allocation and deallocation, and can be mapped to ATT&CK technique T1499.004 related to network denial of service attacks. System administrators should also consider implementing monitoring solutions that detect unusual memory consumption patterns in applications processing SWF files, enabling early detection of exploitation attempts.
The broader implications of this vulnerability highlight the critical importance of proper memory management in multimedia processing libraries. Given that SWF files were widely used for rich internet applications, the potential attack surface extends to numerous applications and services that might process such content. This flaw demonstrates how seemingly minor memory management issues can escalate into significant security concerns, particularly in libraries that form foundational components of multimedia processing stacks. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the necessity for comprehensive code reviews and automated memory leak detection in security-critical libraries, especially those handling untrusted input data. Organizations should prioritize updating their dependencies and implementing robust error handling mechanisms to prevent similar issues in other multimedia processing components that may share similar architectural patterns.