CVE-2007-3316 in Media Player
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple format string vulnerabilities in plugins in VideoLAN VLC Media Player before 0.8.6c allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or execute arbitrary code via format string specifiers in (1) an Ogg/Vorbis file, (2) an Ogg/Theora file, (3) a CDDB entry for a CD Digital Audio (CDDA) file, or (4) Service Announce Protocol (SAP) multicast packets.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/08/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3316 represents a critical format string flaw affecting VideoLAN VLC Media Player versions prior to 0.8.6c. This vulnerability manifests within the media player's plugin architecture, specifically targeting four distinct file formats and network protocols that VLC processes during media playback operations. The flaw exists in how the application handles user-supplied data when constructing format strings for logging, display, or internal processing functions, creating opportunities for malicious input to be interpreted as executable code rather than mere data. The vulnerability affects Ogg/Vorbis audio files, Ogg/Theora video files, CDDB entries for CD Digital Audio files, and Service Announce Protocol multicast packets, demonstrating the widespread impact across different media handling components within the VLC ecosystem.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper input validation and unsafe string formatting practices within VLC's plugin modules. When processing the affected file types or network packets, the application fails to properly sanitize user-provided data before using it in printf-style functions. This allows attackers to inject format specifiers that can manipulate the program's execution flow, potentially leading to stack corruption, memory access violations, or arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through multiple attack vectors, making it difficult to defend against completely. The format string vulnerability specifically maps to CWE-134, which describes the weakness of using user-supplied data as a format string, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation of input validation weaknesses in media processing applications. The lack of proper input sanitization means that even legitimate media files could be manipulated by attackers to contain malicious format specifiers.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-3316 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass full system compromise potential. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability to crash the media player application, causing a denial of service for legitimate users, or more critically, execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the running VLC process. This could lead to complete system compromise, especially when the media player is used in automated or unattended environments. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where VLC might be used for media processing, or in scenarios where users might unknowingly play malicious media files. The attack surface is broad due to the multiple affected protocols, meaning that simply connecting to a malicious network service or opening a specially crafted media file could trigger exploitation. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation and secure coding practices in multimedia applications, as these systems often handle untrusted data from various sources.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3316 require immediate patching of VLC installations to version 0.8.6c or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the format string vulnerabilities. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious media content, particularly in environments where VLC is used for processing untrusted media files. Input validation should be strengthened at multiple levels, including file format checking, content scanning, and protocol validation. Security monitoring should be implemented to detect unusual VLC process behavior or network connections that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the need for regular security updates and the implementation of secure coding practices including the use of safe string functions like snprintf instead of sprintf, proper input sanitization, and comprehensive testing of all user-supplied data processing paths. Additionally, organizations should consider deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts targeting multimedia applications and implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized media player execution.