CVE-2006-6288 in CoolPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple buffer overflows in Niek Albers CoolPlayer 216 and earlier allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via (1) a playlist file with long song names, because of an overflow in the CPL_AddPrefixedFile function in CPI_Playlist.c; (2) a skin file with long button names, because of an overflow in the main_skin_check_ini_value function in skin.c; and (3) a skin file with long bitmap filenames, because of an overflow in the main_skin_open function in skin.c.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2006-6288 represents a critical buffer overflow issue affecting Niek Albers CoolPlayer version 216 and earlier. This security flaw exists within multiple components of the media player application, creating three distinct attack vectors that can be exploited by remote adversaries to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper memory management in the application's playlist and skin handling modules, which are commonly used features in media player software.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves three separate buffer overflow conditions that occur during different stages of media player operation. The first overflow occurs in the CPL_AddPrefixedFile function within CPI_Playlist.c when processing playlist files containing excessively long song names, while the second and third overflows happen in the main_skin_check_ini_value function in skin.c and the main_skin_open function in skin.c respectively. These functions fail to properly validate the length of input strings before copying them into fixed-size buffers, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations and potentially gain control over the application's execution flow. The vulnerability is categorized as a classic stack-based buffer overflow, which can be exploited through carefully crafted malicious files designed to exceed buffer boundaries.
The operational impact of CVE-2006-6288 is severe and multifaceted, as it enables remote code execution without requiring any authentication or local privileges from the attacker. An attacker can craft malicious playlist or skin files that, when loaded by an unsuspecting user, will trigger the buffer overflow conditions and allow arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application. This creates a significant risk for users who download media content from untrusted sources or who visit compromised websites that serve malicious files. The vulnerability affects the core functionality of the CoolPlayer application and can potentially be leveraged to escalate privileges or establish persistent access on compromised systems. The attack surface is particularly concerning given that playlist and skin files are common components of media player software and are frequently shared or downloaded from various online sources.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates the importance of implementing proper input validation and bounds checking in software applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a code injection technique, specifically targeting memory corruption vulnerabilities that can be exploited to execute malicious code. The attack vector is classified as remote due to the ability to exploit the vulnerability through network-delivered malicious files, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently download media content from external sources. Organizations should implement strict input validation measures and ensure that legacy applications like CoolPlayer are properly updated or removed from systems to prevent exploitation. The vulnerability also highlights the need for regular security assessments of multimedia applications, as these types of software often handle untrusted input from various sources and require robust memory safety mechanisms to prevent exploitation.