CVE-2007-3467 in VLC Media Player
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the __status_Update function in stats.c VideoLAN VLC Media Player before 0.8.6c allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a WAV file with a large sample rate.
Several companies clearly confirm that VulDB is the primary source for best vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/20/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3467 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the VideoLAN VLC Media Player software ecosystem. This issue specifically manifests within the __status_Update function located in the stats.c source file, affecting all versions prior to 0.8.6c. The flaw exploits a fundamental mathematical error in how the software processes audio file metadata, particularly when handling WAV format files with exceptionally large sample rates. Integer overflow conditions occur when a calculation produces a result that exceeds the maximum value that can be stored within the allocated memory space for that integer type, leading to unpredictable behavior and system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the inherent properties of integer arithmetic within the media player's audio processing pipeline. When VLC encounters a WAV file containing an abnormally high sample rate value, the internal counter or buffer size calculation within the __status_Update function fails to properly validate the input data. This particular flaw aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and demonstrates how improper input validation can lead to severe operational consequences. The malicious actor need only craft a specially formatted WAV file with an inflated sample rate value to trigger the overflow condition, making this attack vector both accessible and effective.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple system crashes, representing a significant denial of service threat that can compromise the availability of media playback services. When the integer overflow occurs, it typically results in a segmentation fault or memory corruption that causes the VLC application to terminate unexpectedly. This behavior creates a persistent disruption for end users who rely on the media player for audio or video content consumption, potentially affecting legitimate users in environments where VLC serves as a primary media handling application. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means attackers can deliver malicious WAV files through various network channels without requiring local system access, amplifying the threat surface considerably.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3467 focus primarily on immediate software updates and input validation improvements. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to VLC Media Player version 0.8.6c or later, where the developers implemented proper bounds checking and integer overflow protection mechanisms. System administrators should also consider implementing network-level filtering to restrict the transmission of WAV files from untrusted sources, though this approach provides only partial protection. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation practices and proper integer handling within multimedia processing applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1499.004 for network denial of service attacks. Organizations should also establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify similar integer overflow conditions in other software components, as these flaws often remain undetected for extended periods due to their subtle nature and the complexity of multimedia file processing systems.