CVE-2007-0949 in Total Video Player
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in iTinySoft Studio Total Video Player 1.03, and possibly earlier, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a M3U playlist file that contains a long file name. NOTE: it was later reported that 1.20 and 1.30 are also affected.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/15/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-0949 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within iTinySoft Studio Total Video Player version 1.03 and potentially earlier releases. This security weakness manifests when the media player processes M3U playlist files containing excessively long file names, creating conditions where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations on the program's stack. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking mechanisms within the playlist parsing functionality, allowing malicious actors to craft specially formatted M3U files that trigger the overflow condition during normal playback operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which categorizes stack-based buffer overflows as a fundamental memory safety issue. When the vulnerable application encounters an M3U file with an overly long filename, the parsing routine fails to properly validate the input length before copying data to a fixed-size stack buffer. This allows attackers to overwrite return addresses, saved registers, and other critical stack data structures. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be executed remotely through maliciously crafted playlist files distributed via web sites, email attachments, or peer-to-peer networks, making it accessible to attackers without requiring local system access or user interaction beyond opening the malicious file.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete control over the affected system. Successful exploitation can result in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable Total Video Player application, potentially leading to system compromise, data theft, or deployment of additional malware. The fact that versions 1.20 and 1.30 were later confirmed as affected demonstrates that this flaw persisted through multiple iterations of the software, indicating either a fundamental architectural issue or inadequate patching of the original vulnerability. This vulnerability also maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as the executed code could potentially leverage command execution capabilities within the compromised system.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate action including applying available vendor patches or upgrading to versions that address the buffer overflow issue. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious playlist files, while also deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block suspicious file types. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and proper bounds checking in multimedia applications, as well as the necessity of regular security assessments for third-party software components. System administrators should consider disabling automatic playlist processing or implementing strict file type filtering to reduce the attack surface, while users should exercise extreme caution when opening playlist files from untrusted sources. The remediation process should also include comprehensive security testing of all media player configurations and regular vulnerability scanning to identify similar issues in other software components that may be susceptible to similar buffer overflow conditions.