CVE-2002-1044 in Popcorn
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Ultrafunk Popcorn 1.20 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long Subject field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/29/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1044 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw discovered in Ultrafunk Popcorn version 1.20, a multimedia application designed for playing various audio and video formats. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of email headers within the application's email processing functionality, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited remotely by malicious actors. The flaw manifests when the application processes email messages containing excessively long Subject fields, which are typically used to identify the content or purpose of email communications. The buffer overflow occurs because the application fails to properly validate the length of incoming data before attempting to store it in fixed-size memory buffers, a common weakness in software development practices that has been documented in numerous security vulnerabilities throughout the industry.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the Popcorn application's email parsing module. When a maliciously crafted email message is received with an abnormally long Subject field, the application attempts to copy this data into a predetermined memory buffer without checking whether the incoming data exceeds the buffer's allocated size. This classic buffer overflow condition creates a situation where adjacent memory locations become overwritten with attacker-controlled data, potentially corrupting critical program execution flow. The vulnerability can be classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where the overflow occurs in a stack-allocated buffer during the processing of user-supplied input. According to the ATT&CK framework, this represents a technique categorized under T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers leverage application vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous for users who process untrusted email content. When exploited successfully, the buffer overflow can cause the Popcorn application to crash and terminate unexpectedly, resulting in a denial of service that disrupts legitimate user activities. However, the more severe consequence involves the potential for arbitrary code execution, where attackers can inject and run malicious instructions with the privileges of the affected application. This capability allows for complete system compromise, data exfiltration, or the establishment of persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects systems where Ultrafunk Popcorn is installed and actively processes email messages, particularly those that receive email from untrusted sources, making it a significant threat in corporate environments where email-based attacks are common. The remote nature of the exploit means that attackers do not require physical access to target systems, enabling widespread exploitation across networks and organizations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1044 should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems with the vendor-provided security updates or upgrading to newer versions of the software that address the buffer overflow condition. Organizations should implement email filtering mechanisms that can identify and block malformed email messages containing excessively long Subject fields or other suspicious email headers. Network administrators should consider implementing email security appliances or services that can scan incoming email traffic for known malicious patterns and buffer overflow indicators. Additionally, system hardening measures including stack protection mechanisms, address space layout randomization, and non-executable stack protections can help reduce the effectiveness of exploitation attempts even if patches are not immediately available. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual application crashes or restarts that might indicate exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that all email processing components are properly configured to reject oversized input data. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of proper input validation and memory management in software development, aligning with industry best practices recommended in standards such as the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines for secure coding practices.