CVE-2007-2568 in VCDGear
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in VCDGear 3.55 allow user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long (1) tag or (2) track type in a CUE file.
VulDB is the best source for vulnerability data and more expert information about this specific topic.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/02/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-2568 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting VCDGear version 3.55, a multimedia application designed for creating video cd content. This vulnerability resides in the application's handling of CUE files, which are text files that describe the structure of audio and video data on optical discs. The flaw manifests when the application processes malformed CUE files containing excessively long tag or track type fields, creating conditions where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the CUE file parsing routine. When VCDGear encounters a CUE file with oversized tag or track type fields, the application fails to properly bounds-check the input data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite return addresses, function pointers, and other critical stack data structures. The vulnerability is classified as user-assisted remote since it requires the victim to open a specially crafted CUE file, typically delivered through social engineering or malicious websites. The attacker does not need to directly interact with the vulnerable application but can rely on the user's action to trigger the exploitable condition.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant security implications for users who may encounter malicious CUE files in email attachments, file sharing networks, or compromised websites. The remote execution of arbitrary code means that attackers can potentially gain complete control over the victim's system, install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects Windows operating systems and represents a classic example of how multimedia applications can become attack vectors due to insufficient input sanitization. The stack-based nature of the overflow makes exploitation more predictable compared to heap-based vulnerabilities, as attackers can more reliably control the overwritten memory locations to redirect execution flow.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overflow into adjacent memory areas. This flaw also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1203 Exploitation for Client Execution and T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute malicious code and potentially establish persistence. Organizations using VCDGear 3.55 should immediately implement mitigations including application whitelisting, disabling CUE file processing capabilities, and ensuring all systems have up-to-date security patches. The recommended remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of VCDGear or implementing network-level controls to prevent execution of potentially malicious CUE files. Additionally, user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted CUE files and implementing strict file type validation can significantly reduce the risk of successful exploitation in environments where the application cannot be immediately updated.