CVE-2007-4402 in mIRC
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple unspecified scripts in mIRC allow user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the | (pipe) shell metacharacter in the name of the song in a .mp3 file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/07/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4402 resides within the mIRC messaging client software, specifically affecting versions prior to 6.34. This flaw represents a classic command injection vulnerability that exploits how the application processes media file metadata, particularly song names within .mp3 files. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the media player component of mIRC, which fails to properly escape or filter special shell metacharacters during the parsing of audio file tags.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the pipe character | within the song name field of .mp3 file metadata. When mIRC encounters a specially crafted .mp3 file containing a pipe character in the song title, the application's underlying shell execution mechanism interprets this character as a command separator, allowing an attacker to inject malicious commands that execute with the privileges of the mIRC user. This represents a significant security flaw classified under CWE-78 as improper neutralization of special elements used in OS commands, and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for command and script injection.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables attackers to perform arbitrary actions on compromised systems including file manipulation, registry modification, network reconnaissance, and potentially full system compromise. The user-assisted nature of this attack means that victims must interact with the malicious .mp3 file, typically through opening it in mIRC's media player or playing it within the application context. This attack vector demonstrates how multimedia applications can serve as attack surfaces for privilege escalation and remote code execution, particularly in environments where users frequently exchange media files through chat protocols.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4402 should focus on immediate software updates to mIRC version 6.34 or later, which includes proper input sanitization and shell metacharacter escaping mechanisms. Network administrators should implement strict file type filtering and user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted media files within chat applications. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices in multimedia applications and underscores the need for comprehensive input validation across all user-supplied data fields, particularly those that may be processed through shell or system-level commands. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of potentially malicious scripts through chat clients and media players.