CVE-2004-1273 in greed
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the DownloadLoop function in main.c for greed 0.81p allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a GRX file containing a long filename.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/07/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1273 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the greed media player version 0.81p, specifically within the DownloadLoop function located in the main.c source file. This issue arises from inadequate input validation when processing GRX files, which are used for storing multimedia content and metadata within the greed framework. The flaw manifests when the application encounters a GRX file containing an excessively long filename, triggering a buffer overflow condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on the target system.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the DownloadLoop function, which fails to validate the length of filenames extracted from GRX files before copying them into fixed-size buffers. This classic buffer overflow scenario occurs when user-supplied data exceeds the allocated buffer capacity, causing adjacent memory locations to be overwritten with attacker-controlled data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates in a network context, allowing remote exploitation without requiring local system access. Attackers can craft malicious GRX files with deliberately long filenames that, when processed by the greed application, trigger the overflow condition and potentially allow code execution with the privileges of the affected application.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1273 extends beyond simple code execution, as it can lead to complete system compromise and unauthorized access to sensitive data. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability enables attackers to gain arbitrary code execution capabilities, potentially allowing them to install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors within the affected environment. The remote nature of the attack means that exploitation can occur from anywhere on the internet, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise systems without physical access. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121, which describes the classic stack-based buffer overflow condition, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would likely involve executing malicious code through the compromised application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of the greed application to version 0.81p or later, which contains the necessary buffer overflow protections and input validation improvements. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious GRX files, while also deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file processing activities. Additionally, input sanitization measures should be implemented to validate all filename lengths and reject any content that exceeds predetermined safe limits. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management and input validation practices in preventing buffer overflow exploits, aligning with security best practices outlined in the OWASP Top Ten and NIST cybersecurity guidelines. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of untrusted media files and ensure that only verified and secure versions of the greed application are deployed within organizational environments.