CVE-2007-3663 in Media Player Classic
Summary
by MITRE
Divide-by-zero error in Media Player Classic (MPC) 6.4.9.0 allows user-assisted remote attackers to cause a denial of service or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted MPA file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-3663 represents a critical divide-by-zero error within Media Player Classic version 6.4.9.0 that exposes the software to remote exploitation through maliciously crafted media files. This flaw specifically affects the handling of MPA (MPEG Audio) files, which are commonly used multimedia containers that can be processed by various media players. The issue stems from insufficient input validation and error handling within the player's audio decoding routines, where a specially constructed MPA file can trigger a division operation by zero during the parsing of audio frame headers or metadata. Such an error condition typically occurs when the player attempts to calculate frame sizes or sample rates based on corrupted or manipulated header values that result in a zero denominator during mathematical operations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-369 as a divide by zero condition, which represents a fundamental programming error that can lead to unpredictable behavior and system instability.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enable arbitrary code execution, making it particularly dangerous in unpatched environments. When a malicious MPA file is processed by the vulnerable Media Player Classic, the divide-by-zero error causes the application to crash or terminate unexpectedly, resulting in a denial of service condition that prevents legitimate users from accessing audio content. However, the more severe implications arise when attackers leverage this error to craft payloads that can manipulate the execution flow of the application, potentially leading to privilege escalation or remote code execution depending on the system configuration and execution context. The vulnerability requires user interaction to be exploited, as the malicious file must be opened by the victim, making it a user-assisted remote attack vector that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate user execution and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage. The attack surface is broadened by the widespread adoption of Media Player Classic as a default media player on many systems, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise endpoints through media file manipulation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-3663 primarily focus on immediate patching and system hardening measures. The most effective solution involves upgrading to a patched version of Media Player Classic that addresses the divide-by-zero error through proper input validation and exception handling mechanisms. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that scan and quarantine suspicious media files before allowing them to be processed by media players. Network-based security controls such as intrusion prevention systems and content filtering solutions can help detect and block malicious MPA files at the network perimeter. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening untrusted media files and should be encouraged to use updated media players that have been verified to be free from such vulnerabilities. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of outdated media players and enforce the use of security-hardened media processing applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper error handling in multimedia processing applications and highlights the need for robust input validation to prevent mathematical errors from causing system instability or security breaches. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar issues in other media processing applications and ensure that all third-party software components are regularly updated to address known security flaws.