CVE-2003-0765 in WinAmp
Summary
by MITRE
The IN_MIDI.DLL plugin 3.01 and earlier, as used in Winamp 2.91, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a MIDI file with a large "Track data size" value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/02/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2003-0765 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the IN_MIDI.DLL plugin version 3.01 and earlier, which was integrated into Winamp 2.91 multimedia player software. This flaw specifically manifests when processing MIDI files containing malformed "Track data size" values that exceed the expected buffer boundaries. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the MIDI file parsing routine, creating an exploitable condition where maliciously crafted MIDI files can trigger memory corruption. The issue affects the core multimedia framework of Winamp, making it a significant threat vector for remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of multimedia processing and memory safety, demonstrating how legacy software components can contain critical security flaws that persist across multiple versions.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of MIDI file structures where the "Track data size" field contains an oversized value that causes the IN_MIDI.DLL plugin to allocate insufficient memory buffers for processing the track data. When the plugin attempts to read or process data beyond the allocated buffer space, it results in memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw operates under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions that occur when insufficient space is allocated for data, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter. The attack requires only the delivery of a malicious MIDI file to a victim's system, making it particularly dangerous as it can be executed through email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing networks without requiring user interaction beyond opening the file.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise when attackers leverage the buffer overflow to inject and execute malicious payloads. The vulnerability affects a widely deployed multimedia player application that was prevalent in the early 2000s, meaning that millions of users were potentially exposed to remote code execution attacks through simple file processing. Attackers could potentially gain full system control, escalate privileges, or establish persistent backdoors through this vulnerability. The exploitability of this condition is enhanced by the fact that Winamp was commonly used for music playback, making it a natural target for social engineering attacks. The vulnerability also demonstrates the risks associated with plugin-based architectures where third-party components can introduce security flaws that affect the entire application ecosystem. Organizations and individuals using affected versions of Winamp were particularly vulnerable as the software was often run with elevated privileges during media playback operations, increasing the potential impact of successful exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2003-0765 require immediate software updates and patches to address the buffer overflow condition in the IN_MIDI.DLL plugin. The most effective approach involves upgrading to Winamp versions that include fixed plugin components or disabling MIDI file support entirely within the application. System administrators should implement network-based protections such as file type filtering and content scanning to prevent malicious MIDI files from reaching end-user systems. Additionally, users should avoid opening MIDI files from untrusted sources and ensure their multimedia applications are kept current with security patches. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file processing patterns and memory allocation behaviors that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and bounds checking in multimedia processing libraries, emphasizing the need for secure coding practices in application development. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict the execution of untrusted multimedia files and reduce the attack surface for similar vulnerabilities in other software components.