CVE-2006-4046 in Open Cubic Player
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in Open Cubic Player 2.6.0pre6 and earlier for Windows, and 0.1.10_rc5 and earlier on Linux/BSD, allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a large .S3M file handled by the mpLoadS3M function, (2) a crafted .IT file handled by the itplayerclass::module::load function, (3) a crafted .ULT file handled by the mpLoadULT function, or (4) a crafted .AMS file handled by the mpLoadAMS function.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/11/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2006-4046 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow issue affecting Open Cubic Player versions up to 2.6.0pre6 on Windows and 0.1.10_rc5 on Linux/BSD systems. This vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within multiple audio file parsing functions, specifically mpLoadS3M, itplayerclass::module::load, mpLoadULT, and mpLoadAMS. The flaw occurs when these functions process specially crafted audio files that contain malformed data structures exceeding the allocated buffer space, leading to potential code execution exploits. These buffer overflows are particularly dangerous because they occur during the loading of audio modules, which are commonly encountered in multimedia applications and music player software.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of audio file formats that are typically used for storing musical compositions in tracker software. Attackers can construct malicious files with oversized data fields that cause the application to write beyond the bounds of allocated memory buffers on the stack. When the mpLoadS3M function processes a large .S3M file, or when itplayerclass::module::load handles a crafted .IT file, or when mpLoadULT or mpLoadAMS process manipulated .ULT or .AMS files respectively, the lack of proper boundary checks allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function pointers. 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 directly maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a high-severity issue in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass potential system compromise and denial of service scenarios. When exploited, these buffer overflows can allow remote attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems running vulnerable versions of Open Cubic Player, potentially leading to complete system control. The attack surface is broad as these vulnerabilities affect multiple operating systems and file formats, making them particularly attractive to threat actors. The vulnerability also presents challenges for system administrators and security professionals because it can be triggered through legitimate file handling processes without requiring special privileges or user interaction beyond opening the malicious file. This characteristic aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter and potentially T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, as the exploitation occurs during normal application operation when processing audio files.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2006-4046 should focus on immediate patching of affected software versions and implementation of input validation measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to patched versions of Open Cubic Player that address the buffer overflow conditions in all four affected functions. Organizations should also implement network segmentation and file validation controls to prevent unauthorized audio file processing. Additional defensive measures include deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious file processing patterns and implementing application whitelisting to restrict execution of vulnerable applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in multimedia applications, emphasizing that audio and video processing libraries require robust boundary checking mechanisms. Security teams should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning to identify systems running outdated versions of the software and ensure comprehensive patch management processes are in place to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.