CVE-2007-0653 in X MultiMedia System
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in X MultiMedia System (xmms) 1.2.10, and possibly other versions, allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via crafted header information in a skin bitmap image, which triggers memory corruption.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-0653 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the X MultiMedia System xmms version 1.2.10 and potentially other variants. This issue resides in the handling of skin bitmap image files, specifically when processing crafted header information that triggers memory corruption conditions. The vulnerability operates through a user-assisted remote attack vector, meaning that an attacker must entice a user to load a malicious skin file for the exploit to be effective. The integer overflow occurs during the parsing of bitmap header data, where insufficient input validation leads to improper memory allocation calculations that can result in buffer overflows and subsequent arbitrary code execution capabilities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which categorizes integer overflow conditions that can lead to memory corruption and code execution. When xmms processes a specially crafted bitmap file, the application fails to properly validate the dimensions or size fields within the bitmap header structure. This validation failure allows an attacker to manipulate these values such that when the application attempts to allocate memory for the bitmap data, the integer arithmetic produces a value that exceeds the maximum representable integer, causing the overflow to occur. The resulting corrupted memory state provides attackers with opportunities to overwrite critical memory locations and execute malicious code with the privileges of the running xmms process.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a significant threat to multimedia application security in Unix-like systems where xmms was commonly deployed. The attack scenario typically involves an attacker providing a malicious skin file through social engineering tactics or by compromising a legitimate software distribution channel. When a user loads this crafted skin file, the application's memory corruption causes unpredictable behavior that can be leveraged to gain full system control. The vulnerability affects not only the immediate application but also potentially impacts the broader system security posture since xmms typically runs with user privileges that may be elevated in certain configurations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-0653 should focus on immediate patching of affected xmms versions, with the implementation of strict input validation mechanisms for all bitmap file processing operations. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious content, while also considering the deployment of application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of untrusted multimedia skin files. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper integer overflow protection in multimedia processing libraries and highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of file format parsers. Organizations should also consider implementing intrusion detection systems that monitor for suspicious file processing patterns and maintain up-to-date vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other multimedia applications that may be susceptible to the same class of integer overflow attacks. This vulnerability serves as a prime example of how seemingly benign file format processing can become a critical security risk when proper input validation and memory management practices are not implemented.