CVE-2004-2384 in WinAmp
Summary
by MITRE
NullSoft Winamp 5.02 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) by creating a file with a long filename, which causes the victim s player to crash when the file is opened from the command line.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/01/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2004-2384 affects NullSoft Winamp version 5.02, representing a classic buffer overflow condition that manifests through improper input validation. This flaw exists within the file handling mechanism of the media player when processing filenames supplied via command line arguments. The vulnerability specifically targets the application's inability to properly handle excessively long filename strings, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted file names can trigger memory corruption. The issue stems from inadequate bounds checking in the string processing routines that handle file path arguments, allowing attackers to exceed allocated memory buffers and cause unintended program termination.
This vulnerability operates under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as a buffer overflow weakness classified as CWE-121, where insufficient boundary checking leads to memory corruption. The attack vector requires remote exploitation through the creation of specially crafted files with extended filename strings that, when executed through the command line interface, trigger the application crash. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds writes, as the application fails to validate the length of input strings before attempting to process them. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of Winamp by disrupting normal file opening operations, thereby creating a denial of service condition that prevents legitimate users from accessing media files.
The operational impact of CVE-2004-2384 extends beyond simple application instability to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks within a broader exploitation framework. When a victim opens a maliciously crafted file through the command line interface, the application crashes and terminates unexpectedly, rendering the media player unusable until manually restarted. This denial of service condition can be particularly disruptive in environments where Winamp serves as a primary media player, such as in multimedia presentations, entertainment systems, or professional audio applications. The vulnerability's remote nature means attackers can exploit it without requiring physical access to the target system, making it a significant concern for users who might encounter malicious files through email attachments, web downloads, or shared network resources.
From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1499.004, which addresses network denial of service attacks through application-level exploitation. The attack requires minimal technical sophistication from adversaries, as it only necessitates creating a file with an excessively long filename string. Security practitioners should note that this vulnerability represents an early example of how command line argument processing can introduce critical stability issues in media applications. The flaw demonstrates the importance of implementing robust input validation and boundary checking mechanisms, particularly in applications that process user-supplied data through command line interfaces. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies and monitoring for unusual command line usage patterns as part of their defensive strategies. Additionally, this vulnerability highlights the necessity of regular software updates and patch management processes to address known weaknesses in multimedia applications that handle external file inputs. The issue underscores fundamental security principles that remain relevant today, emphasizing that even seemingly benign operations like file name handling can introduce critical system instability when proper input validation is absent.