CVE-2021-38381 Explained : Impact and Mitigation
Discover the impact and mitigation strategies for CVE-2021-38381, a critical Use-After-Free flaw in Live555 media streaming libraries, enabling attackers to crash daemons via RTSP commands.
Live555 through 1.08 is vulnerable to a Use-After-Free and daemon crash when handling MPEG-1 or 2 files improperly. Two successive RTSP SETUP commands for the same track trigger the vulnerability.
Understanding CVE-2021-38381
This CVE affects Live555 media streaming libraries through version 1.08, leading to a critical Use-After-Free issue and subsequent daemon crashes.
What is CVE-2021-38381?
CVE-2021-38381 is a security vulnerability in Live555 that arises from improper handling of MPEG-1 or 2 files. By sending two consecutive RTSP SETUP commands for the same track, an attacker can trigger a Use-After-Free flaw resulting in a daemon crash.
The Impact of CVE-2021-38381
Exploitation of this vulnerability can lead to denial of service (DoS) conditions, causing the affected daemon to crash, disrupting media streaming services and potentially affecting availability.
Technical Details of CVE-2021-38381
The vulnerability stemmed from Live555's inability to correctly process MPEG-1 or 2 files, leading to a Use-After-Free flaw triggered by subsequent RTSP SETUP commands.
Vulnerability Description
Live555 version 1.08 mishandles certain RTSP commands, specifically when two SETUP commands are directed to the same track, resulting in a Use-After-Free flaw and daemon crash.
Affected Systems and Versions
Live555 versions up to and including 1.08 are susceptible to this vulnerability due to improper handling of MPEG-1 or 2 files.
Exploitation Mechanism
An attacker can exploit CVE-2021-38381 by sending two RTSP SETUP commands successively for the same track, causing the daemon to crash due to a Use-After-Free condition.
Mitigation and Prevention
To mitigate the risks associated with CVE-2021-38381, immediate actions and long-term security practices are vital.
Immediate Steps to Take
Users are advised to update Live555 to the latest patched version, which addresses the Use-After-Free vulnerability and enhances the stability of media streaming.
Long-Term Security Practices
Implementing network segmentation, access controls, and regular security updates can help prevent potential exploits targeting vulnerabilities like CVE-2021-38381.
Patching and Updates
Regularly check for security advisories and updates from Live555 to ensure that your systems are protected against known vulnerabilities and receive timely patches.