CVE-2007-2062 in VCDGear
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in VCDGear 3.55 and 3.56 BETA allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long FILE argument in a CUE file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/05/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2062 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in VCDGear software versions 3.55 and 3.56 BETA. This vulnerability resides within the handling of CUE file arguments, specifically when processing a lengthy FILE argument that exceeds the allocated stack buffer space. The flaw enables malicious actors to craft specially formatted CUE files that can trigger unauthorized code execution on systems running vulnerable versions of the software. The attack vector requires user interaction as the target must open or process the malicious CUE file, making it a user-assisted remote attack rather than a fully autonomous exploit. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is categorized under the broader class of buffer overflow conditions that occur when data is written beyond the bounds of a fixed-length buffer allocated on the stack. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it affects multimedia processing software commonly used for creating video cd content, where users frequently interact with various file formats including CUE files that reference audio track information. The attack scenario involves an attacker crafting a malicious CUE file containing an excessively long FILE argument that overflows the stack buffer during parsing operations, potentially allowing arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the user running the vulnerable software.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability exploits the fundamental flaw in input validation and memory management within the VCDGear application. When processing a CUE file, the software fails to properly validate the length of the FILE argument before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer, resulting in a buffer overflow condition. This overflow corrupts adjacent stack memory, potentially overwriting return addresses and function pointers, which can be manipulated to redirect program execution to malicious code injected by the attacker. The stack-based nature of the overflow means that the vulnerable function's local variables and return address are located on the stack, making them susceptible to corruption through the buffer overflow. The vulnerability demonstrates poor defensive programming practices and inadequate bounds checking, which are fundamental requirements for secure software development as outlined in various security standards including those referenced in the OWASP Top Ten and CERT/CC secure coding guidelines. The attack requires careful crafting of the CUE file to ensure the overflow precisely targets the return address on the stack, making it a sophisticated exploit that requires understanding of the target software's memory layout and execution flow.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a significant threat to user systems and data integrity. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running VCDGear, potentially leading to complete system compromise if the user has administrative rights. The vulnerability affects users who may encounter malicious CUE files through various means including email attachments, file sharing networks, or compromised websites, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently download and process multimedia content. The attack requires no special privileges from the attacker beyond the ability to create or modify CUE files, making it accessible to a wide range of threat actors. The vulnerability's impact is exacerbated by the fact that CUE files are commonly used in audio and video processing workflows, meaning that users are regularly exposed to potential exploitation through legitimate file handling operations. This type of vulnerability also creates opportunities for privilege escalation attacks, as the executed code could potentially leverage the elevated privileges of the target process to perform additional malicious activities including data exfiltration, system reconnaissance, or installation of persistent backdoors.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-2062 must address both the immediate vulnerability and broader security practices within the affected environment. The primary and most effective mitigation is to upgrade to a patched version of VCDGear that properly validates input lengths and implements proper bounds checking for CUE file processing. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent processing of untrusted CUE files from unknown sources, particularly in environments where users have elevated privileges. Network-based mitigations can include content filtering solutions that scan for potentially malicious CUE file structures and block their transmission. Security administrators should also implement application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of vulnerable software to trusted environments and monitor for unusual file processing activities. The vulnerability highlights the importance of input validation and secure coding practices, and organizations should ensure that all software components implement proper bounds checking and memory management techniques as recommended by the ATT&CK framework for preventing buffer overflow attacks. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potentially vulnerable applications within the environment, as similar issues may exist in other multimedia processing software that handles similar file formats and structures.