CVE-2007-1387 in MPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
The DirectShow loader (loader/dshow/DS_VideoDecoder.c) in MPlayer 1.0rc1 and earlier, as used in xine-lib, does not set the biSize before use in a memcpy, which allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a buffer overflow and possibly execute arbitrary code, a different vulnerability than CVE-2007-1246.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/16/2019
The vulnerability described in CVE-2007-1387 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the DirectShow loader component of MPlayer version 1.0rc1 and earlier implementations. This issue affects multimedia applications that utilize xine-lib as their underlying media handling library, creating a significant security risk for systems processing multimedia content. The flaw specifically manifests in the loader/dshow/DS_VideoDecoder.c file where the biSize field is not properly initialized before being used in a memcpy operation, establishing a predictable pathway for malicious exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management practices within the video decoder's DirectShow loader module. When processing multimedia files, the application fails to initialize the biSize member of a BITMAPINFOHEADER structure before invoking memcpy operations. This initialization gap allows attackers to craft specially formatted media files that manipulate the biSize value to exceed the allocated buffer boundaries during memory copying operations. The vulnerability operates under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions occurring in stack-based buffers, and specifically aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through command injection within media processing contexts.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides attackers with the capability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness by delivering maliciously crafted media files through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites. Once triggered, the buffer overflow can overwrite critical memory locations, potentially allowing attackers to inject and execute malicious payloads with the privileges of the affected application. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in environments where multimedia applications process untrusted content, as it can serve as a vector for privilege escalation and system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-1387 require immediate action through software updates and system hardening measures. Organizations should prioritize upgrading to MPlayer versions beyond 1.0rc1 where the DirectShow loader has been properly patched to initialize all structure members before memory operations. Additionally, implementing content filtering mechanisms that validate media file headers and restrict processing of untrusted multimedia content can significantly reduce exposure risk. Network segmentation and application whitelisting approaches should be employed to limit the attack surface, while regular security assessments of multimedia processing components can help identify similar vulnerabilities. The remediation process should also include monitoring for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and system logs, as the buffer overflow may generate specific memory access patterns that can be detected by intrusion detection systems.