CVE-2002-1847 in Windows Media Player
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in mplay32.exe of Microsoft Windows Media Player (WMP) 6.3 through 7.1 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary commands via a long mp3 filename command line argument. NOTE: since the only known attack vector requires command line access, this may not be a vulnerability.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/25/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2002-1847 represents a critical buffer overflow condition affecting Microsoft Windows Media Player versions 6.3 through 7.1, specifically within the mplay32.exe component. This flaw manifests when the application processes command line arguments containing excessively long mp3 filename parameters, creating a scenario where memory allocation boundaries are exceeded. The buffer overflow vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The technical implementation involves the application failing to validate the length of input parameters passed through the command line interface, particularly when handling media file names that exceed predetermined buffer limits.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond typical media playback scenarios as it creates a potential remote execution vector through command line manipulation. While the original assessment notes that the primary attack vector requires command line access, this limitation does not eliminate the severity of the flaw, as attackers with any form of system access can exploit this condition. The vulnerability enables arbitrary code execution, which aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and scripting interpreter execution. When exploited, the buffer overflow can overwrite critical program execution pointers, return addresses, or other memory structures, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious code with the privileges of the Windows Media Player process.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires careful crafting of command line arguments that exceed buffer capacity, typically involving specially constructed mp3 filename parameters that trigger the overflow condition. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that Windows Media Player was widely distributed and often executed with elevated privileges during normal operation. Security researchers have documented similar patterns in multimedia player vulnerabilities where command line argument processing fails to implement proper input validation mechanisms. The vulnerability demonstrates a classic lack of input sanitization that violates fundamental security principles, as the application does not perform adequate bounds checking on user-supplied data before processing. Organizations should consider this vulnerability as part of broader application security assessments, particularly when evaluating legacy media player installations that may remain in operational environments despite the age of the affected software.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2002-1847 should include immediate discontinuation of usage for affected Windows Media Player versions, implementation of strict input validation protocols for command line parameter handling, and deployment of network segmentation controls to limit potential attack vectors. System administrators should ensure that all affected systems receive appropriate security updates or complete software replacement, as Microsoft has since addressed this vulnerability through subsequent patches and updates. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of input validation and bounds checking in application development, particularly for components that process user-supplied data through command line interfaces. Organizations should implement comprehensive application security testing procedures that include dynamic analysis of command line argument handling to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components. Additionally, the use of modern security frameworks and development practices that incorporate defensive programming techniques can significantly reduce the risk of similar buffer overflow conditions in future applications.