CVE-2002-1524 in WinAmp
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in XML parser in wsabi.dll of Winamp 3 (1.0.0.488) allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a skin file (.wal) with a long include file tag.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/02/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1524 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the Windows Media Player XML parser component known as wsabi.dll in Winamp 3 version 1.0.0.488. This security weakness specifically manifests when processing skin files with the .wal extension that contain excessively long include file tags, creating a scenario where remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The flaw resides in the improper handling of input data within the XML parsing mechanism, where the application fails to adequately validate or limit the length of include file references in skin configurations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the wsabi.dll library that processes Winamp skin files. When a malicious .wal file containing an overly long include tag is loaded, the XML parser attempts to store this data in a fixed-size buffer without sufficient validation of the input length. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs because the parser allocates a predetermined amount of memory for the include file path but does not verify that the incoming data fits within these allocated boundaries. The overflow allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the program's execution flow and enabling code injection attacks. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite stack data.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Remote exploitation requires only that a victim loads a malicious skin file, making this attack vector particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently download and install third-party skins. The vulnerability affects systems running Winamp 3.0.0.488 and potentially other versions within the same release cycle, creating widespread exposure across numerous users who rely on the popular media player application. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized access, install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors on compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should encompass both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves updating to a patched version of Winamp 3 or upgrading to a newer version of the media player that addresses this buffer overflow condition. Organizations should also implement strict file validation policies for skin files, particularly those downloaded from untrusted sources, and consider deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of unauthorized skin files. Network-level protections including firewall rules that restrict access to potentially malicious file types and intrusion detection systems capable of identifying malformed XML content can provide additional layers of defense. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in application development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through scripting and T1203 for exploitation for privilege escalation. Security practitioners should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for media player applications to limit the potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.