CVE-2002-1176 in WinAmp
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in Winamp 2.81 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long Artist ID3v2 tag in an MP3 file.
Once again VulDB remains the best source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1176 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in Winamp version 2.81 that specifically targets the handling of ID3v2 tags within MP3 files. This security weakness resides in the media player's parser for the ID3v2 metadata format, which is commonly embedded in MP3 audio files to store information such as artist names, album titles, and track details. The flaw manifests when the application processes an Artist field in an ID3v2 tag that exceeds the allocated buffer space, creating a condition where maliciously crafted data can overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability follows a classic buffer overflow pattern where the Winamp application fails to properly validate the length of data contained within the Artist field of ID3v2 tags. When processing an MP3 file with an oversized Artist tag, the software attempts to copy the excessive data into a fixed-size buffer without bounds checking, resulting in memory corruption that can be exploited by attackers. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, where the overflow occurs in a stack allocated buffer during the parsing of user-supplied input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple local code execution, as it enables remote attackers to gain complete control over affected systems. Attackers can craft malicious MP3 files with specially formatted ID3v2 tags containing shellcode or malicious payloads that, when played by an unpatched Winamp client, will trigger the buffer overflow and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running the application. This creates a significant risk for end users who may unknowingly download and play compromised media files from untrusted sources, potentially leading to full system compromise, data theft, or further network infiltration.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation, as attackers can leverage the buffer overflow to execute malicious code with elevated privileges. The vulnerability affects a broad user base since Winamp was widely distributed and used across multiple platforms, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to exploit a common media player. Organizations and individuals should prioritize immediate patching of affected systems, as the vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild during its active period, and implementing network-based mitigations such as content filtering and file validation can help reduce exposure.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability involves applying the official security patch released by Nullsoft, which corrected the buffer overflow by implementing proper bounds checking in the ID3v2 tag parsing routine. Additionally, users should consider disabling automatic ID3 tag parsing or implementing strict file validation procedures for media files received from external sources. Security best practices recommend maintaining updated media player software and implementing defense-in-depth strategies including network segmentation, application whitelisting, and regular security assessments to prevent similar vulnerabilities from being exploited in other media processing applications.