CVE-2002-1177 in WinAmp
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in Winamp 3.0, when displaying an MP3 in the Media Library window, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an MP3 file containing a long (1) Artist or (2) Album ID3v2 tag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/09/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1177 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw in Winamp version 3.0 that specifically affects the Media Library window functionality. This issue arises when the media player processes MP3 files containing specially crafted ID3v2 metadata tags, particularly those with excessively long Artist or Album information fields. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the application's handling of ID3v2 tag structures, which are standard metadata containers used in MP3 files to store information about the audio content. The flaw manifests when the application attempts to display these extended tag values in the Media Library interface, creating an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic buffer overflow pattern where the application fails to properly validate the length of ID3v2 tag data before copying it into fixed-size memory buffers. When an MP3 file contains an Artist or Album tag exceeding the allocated buffer space, the excess data overflows into adjacent memory regions, potentially corrupting the program's execution flow. This overflow can be leveraged by remote attackers who craft malicious MP3 files with deliberately extended tag values to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program variables. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through normal media playback operations without requiring any special privileges or user interaction beyond opening the Media Library window. The attack vector is classified as remote since the malicious MP3 file can be hosted on a web server or transmitted through email, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the Winamp process.
The operational impact of CVE-2002-1177 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity violations. Successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain complete control over the victim's system, install backdoors, modify or delete files, and potentially escalate privileges to system-level access. The vulnerability affects users who regularly use Winamp's Media Library feature and are exposed to untrusted MP3 content, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter malicious files through various distribution channels. This flaw represents a significant security weakness in media player applications and highlights the importance of proper input validation in multimedia processing software. The vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign metadata fields in standard file formats can become attack vectors when applications fail to implement robust boundary checking mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching and input validation improvements. Users should upgrade to Winamp versions that address this specific buffer overflow issue, as the original version 3.0 contained no built-in protections against such attacks. Security professionals should implement network-level controls to prevent users from accessing potentially malicious MP3 files through web browsing or file sharing activities. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying application whitelisting solutions that restrict execution of untrusted media files or implement sandboxing techniques to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes buffer overflow conditions in stack-based buffers, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through command and scripting interpreter. System administrators should also consider implementing regular security assessments of multimedia applications and establish procedures for rapid patch deployment to address similar vulnerabilities in other software components.