CVE-2004-1292 in ringtonetools
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the parse_emelody function in parse_emelody.c for ringtonetools 2.22 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted eMelody file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/25/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1292 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the ringtonetools 2.22 software suite, specifically within the parse_emelody function located in the parse_emelody.c source file. This issue arises from inadequate input validation and memory management practices during the processing of eMelody formatted files, which are commonly used for storing mobile phone ringtones and melodies. The buffer overflow occurs when the software attempts to parse maliciously crafted eMelody files without proper bounds checking, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations with arbitrary data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability follows a classic buffer overflow attack pattern where an attacker crafts a specially formatted eMelody file containing more data than the allocated buffer can accommodate. When the parse_emelody function processes this malformed input, it writes data beyond the intended memory boundaries, potentially overwriting critical program variables, return addresses, or other executable code segments. This memory corruption can be leveraged to redirect program execution flow and ultimately execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a common attack vector that has been documented extensively in cybersecurity literature.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to mobile device users and system administrators who may unknowingly process malicious eMelody files through vulnerable ringtonetools software. The remote attack vector means that adversaries can deliver malicious payloads through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms without requiring physical access to target systems. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially enable full system compromise, privilege escalation, or persistent backdoor installation. This vulnerability particularly affects mobile phone ringtone management systems and any software that utilizes the ringtonetools library for eMelody file processing, making it relevant to a broad range of mobile and embedded systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2004-1292 should prioritize immediate patching of affected ringtonetools installations to version 2.23 or later, which contains the necessary memory bounds checking and input validation fixes. System administrators should implement strict file validation procedures for all incoming eMelody files, including content type verification and size limitations to prevent oversized payloads from being processed. Network-level defenses should include email filtering and web proxy configurations that block or scan eMelody file attachments, while endpoint protection solutions should be configured to monitor for suspicious file processing activities. Organizations should also consider implementing the principle of least privilege for applications that process ringtone files, limiting the potential impact of successful exploitation. This vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety practices as outlined in the software security principles of the OWASP Top Ten and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage in exploit delivery scenarios.