CVE-2004-1311 in MPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the real_setup_and_get_header function in real.c for Unix MPlayer 1.0pre5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a Real RTSP streaming media file with a -1 content-length field, which leads to a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/05/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-1311 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the Unix MPlayer media player version 1.0pre5, specifically within the real_setup_and_get_header function located in the real.c source file. This vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation when processing Real RTSP streaming media files, creating a dangerous condition where maliciously crafted media content can trigger unexpected behavior in the application's memory management systems. The flaw manifests when the application encounters a Real RTSP file containing a -1 content-length field, which should be a valid indicator for unknown content length but instead causes the software to miscalculate buffer sizes during memory allocation operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves a heap-based buffer overflow condition that occurs due to the integer overflow in the content-length field processing. When the application processes the -1 value, it performs arithmetic operations that exceed the maximum representable value for the integer data type, causing the value to wrap around to a negative number or extremely large positive value. This overflow directly impacts the memory allocation routines where the application calculates buffer sizes based on the malformed content-length field. The resulting buffer overflow can corrupt adjacent memory regions, leading to unpredictable application behavior that manifests as application crashes or potentially more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability creates significant security risks for systems running affected versions of MPlayer, particularly in environments where users might encounter untrusted streaming media content. The denial of service aspect makes the application unreliable for legitimate users who might inadvertently encounter malicious media files, while the potential for arbitrary code execution opens pathways for attackers to gain control over affected systems. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of MPlayer as a media player, making it a critical issue for any organization that relies on this software for media playback operations, especially in enterprise environments where media streaming services are prevalent.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with ATT&CK technique T1203, involving the exploitation of input validation flaws to achieve remote code execution. The heap-based buffer overflow component places this vulnerability within the scope of CWE-121, which covers heap-based buffer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and arbitrary code execution. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected MPlayer version to address the integer overflow in the real_setup_and_get_header function, implementing strict input validation for content-length fields in streaming media processing, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify and block malicious RTSP content. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting controls and restricting access to potentially malicious media sources to prevent exploitation of this vulnerability in production environments.