CVE-2007-0064 in Media Services
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in Windows Media Format Runtime 7.1, 9, 9.5, 9.5 x64 Edition, 11, and Windows Media Services 9.1 for Microsoft Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, and Vista allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted Advanced Systems Format (ASF) file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/14/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0064 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting multiple versions of Windows Media Format Runtime and Windows Media Services across several Microsoft Windows operating systems. This flaw exists within the handling of Advanced Systems Format files, which are multimedia container formats widely used for streaming and storing audio and video content. The vulnerability specifically impacts Windows 2000, XP, Server 2003, and Vista operating systems, creating a significant attack surface that spans multiple generations of Microsoft's operating system ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the Windows Media Format Runtime processes malformed ASF files that contain oversized data structures within their headers or metadata sections. The heap-based buffer overflow manifests when the runtime attempts to allocate memory for processing these crafted elements without proper bounds checking, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the heap. This memory corruption can be exploited to manipulate program execution flow, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected process. The vulnerability is classified as user-assisted remote exploitation, meaning that a user must interact with the malicious ASF file, typically through media player applications or web browsers that support Windows Media content.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it can enable attackers to gain unauthorized access to systems and potentially escalate privileges within the Windows environment. The affected components include Windows Media Format Runtime 7.1, 9, 9.5, 9.5 x64 Edition, 11, and Windows Media Services 9.1, which are integral parts of the Windows multimedia stack. This creates a widespread risk across enterprise environments where Windows Media services are deployed, particularly in scenarios involving streaming media servers or content delivery systems. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow and its alignment with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter demonstrates its potential for persistent system compromise and lateral movement within networks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily focus on immediate patch application through Microsoft's security updates, which address the underlying buffer overflow conditions in the Windows Media Format Runtime components. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of systems running affected Windows Media services, while also considering the deployment of application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of unauthorized media processing applications. Additional defensive measures include regular monitoring for suspicious ASF file downloads and implementing sandboxing techniques for media content processing, particularly in environments where users might encounter untrusted media files from external sources. The vulnerability's age and widespread impact make it a critical target for remediation efforts, as attackers continue to leverage such flaws in exploit kits and targeted attacks against legacy systems.