CVE-2004-1310 in MPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the asf_mmst_streaming.c functionality for MPlayer 1.0pre5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a large MMST stream packet.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/04/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1310 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow affecting MPlayer version 1.0pre5, specifically within the asf_mmst_streaming.c module responsible for handling MMST (Microsoft Media Server Streaming) protocol streams. This flaw exists in the media player's handling of streaming protocol packets, where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption during packet processing. The vulnerability manifests when the application receives a specially crafted MMST stream packet containing an excessive amount of data that exceeds the allocated buffer space on the stack, creating conditions for arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within the MMST stream parsing functionality. When MPlayer processes incoming MMST packets, the software fails to validate the size of incoming data against predetermined buffer limits, allowing attackers to overflow the stack buffer and overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. This type of vulnerability maps directly to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue where data written to a stack buffer exceeds the buffer's capacity. The attack vector is remote, meaning malicious actors can exploit this vulnerability without requiring local access to the target system, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where media players frequently process untrusted streaming content.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-1310 extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities. Successful exploitation allows remote code execution with the privileges of the user running MPlayer, potentially enabling attackers to install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects any system running MPlayer 1.0pre5 or earlier versions when processing MMST streaming content, making it a significant concern for users who access streaming media from untrusted sources. Given the widespread use of MPlayer as a multimedia framework across various operating systems including Linux, Windows, and macOS, the potential attack surface is extensive. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution, where adversaries leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected MPlayer installations to version 1.0pre6 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to untrusted streaming sources, while also considering the deployment of network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block suspicious MMST traffic patterns. Additional defensive measures include disabling MMST streaming capabilities when not required, implementing application whitelisting to restrict MPlayer execution, and conducting regular security audits of multimedia processing components. Organizations should also consider network monitoring solutions that can detect anomalous packet sizes and patterns consistent with buffer overflow exploitation attempts, as these may indicate active exploitation of similar vulnerabilities. The fix implemented in subsequent versions typically involves proper input validation and bounds checking to ensure that incoming MMST packet data does not exceed allocated buffer sizes, thereby preventing the stack corruption that enables arbitrary code execution.