CVE-2007-4403 in Plug-in for Winamp
Summary
by MITRE
The mIRC Control Plug-in for Winamp allows 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 • 10/31/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4403 represents a critical command injection flaw within the mIRC Control Plug-in for Winamp media player application. This vulnerability specifically affects the handling of audio file metadata, particularly the song title field within mp3 files, creating an avenue for remote code execution when the affected plugin processes maliciously crafted media files. The issue stems from inadequate input validation and sanitization within the plugin's parsing logic, which fails to properly escape or filter special shell metacharacters before executing system commands. The vulnerability is classified as user-assisted remote code execution because it requires a user to interact with a maliciously crafted media file, typically through the mIRC client's integration with Winamp's plugin architecture, making it particularly dangerous in social engineering scenarios where users might unknowingly play infected media content.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of the pipe character | within the song name field of mp3 metadata, which serves as a shell metacharacter in command-line environments. When the mIRC Control Plug-in processes an mp3 file containing a specially crafted pipe character in the title field, the plugin passes this unvalidated input directly to the underlying shell command execution mechanism. This allows attackers to inject additional commands that execute with the privileges of the user running the mIRC client, potentially leading to complete system compromise. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of multiple security domains including shell injection, command execution, and privilege escalation, with the attack vector leveraging the trust relationship between the media player and its plugin architecture. This type of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-78 as "Improper Neutralization of Special Elements used in an OS Command ('OS Command Injection')", which directly relates to the improper handling of shell metacharacters in command execution contexts.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-4403 extends beyond simple code execution to encompass broader system compromise and potential data exfiltration capabilities. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary commands on the victim's system, potentially gaining access to sensitive information, modifying system files, or establishing persistent backdoors. The vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users may encounter malicious media files through various channels including email attachments, instant messaging systems, or file sharing platforms. The mIRC client's integration with Winamp's plugin architecture creates a unique attack surface that combines multimedia processing with system command execution, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to exploit the trust relationships between different software components. This vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign media processing functionality can become a critical security risk when proper input validation is not implemented.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4403 require a multi-layered approach focusing on both immediate remediation and long-term architectural improvements. The primary mitigation involves updating to patched versions of the mIRC Control Plug-in for Winamp, as the vulnerability was addressed through proper input sanitization and command execution parameterization. Organizations should implement strict media file validation policies that prevent automatic playback of untrusted media content, particularly in environments where users may be exposed to potentially malicious files through social engineering attacks. Network-level protections should include content filtering mechanisms that can detect and block malicious metadata within media files, while endpoint security solutions should monitor for suspicious command execution patterns. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing the principle of least privilege for applications that process user-generated content, ensuring that even if exploitation occurs, the impact remains limited. Additionally, security awareness training should emphasize the risks associated with playing media files from untrusted sources, as user interaction is required for successful exploitation of this vulnerability. This case study exemplifies the ATT&CK technique T1059.001 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: PowerShell" and T1059.003 for "Command and Scripting Interpreter: Windows Command Shell", demonstrating how shell injection vulnerabilities can be leveraged to execute arbitrary commands through legitimate system interfaces.