CVE-2007-4619 in WinAmp
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in Free Lossless Audio Codec (FLAC) libFLAC before 1.2.1, as used in Winamp before 5.5 and other products, allow user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed FLAC file that triggers improper memory allocation, resulting in a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/16/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4619 represents a critical security flaw in the Free Lossless Audio Codec implementation within the libFLAC library. This issue affects versions prior to 1.2.1 and has significant implications for multimedia applications that rely on FLAC format support, particularly Winamp versions before 5.5. The vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer values during the processing of audio metadata, creating conditions where maliciously crafted audio files can trigger unexpected behavior in the decoding process.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in integer overflow conditions that occur when the FLAC decoder processes malformed header information in audio files. Specifically, when the decoder encounters specially crafted values in the audio stream metadata, it performs calculations that exceed the maximum representable value for integer variables, leading to unexpected wrapping behavior. This overflow condition directly impacts memory allocation routines where the system calculates buffer sizes based on these malformed integer values, resulting in insufficient memory allocation that subsequently leads to heap-based buffer overflows when the system attempts to write data beyond allocated boundaries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables remote attackers to potentially gain control over affected systems through user-assisted attacks. Attackers can craft malicious FLAC files that, when processed by vulnerable applications, will trigger the integer overflow conditions and subsequent buffer overflow. This creates opportunities for arbitrary code execution, privilege escalation, and system compromise, particularly when affected applications like Winamp automatically process or queue media files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-190 as an integer overflow or wraparound, which is a common class of vulnerabilities that can lead to memory corruption issues and exploitation opportunities.
The attack surface for this vulnerability includes any application that utilizes the libFLAC library for audio processing, with Winamp being a primary concern due to its widespread use and integration with FLAC format support. The remote nature of the attack means that users need only to encounter a maliciously crafted file through normal playback operations to be vulnerable, making this particularly dangerous in environments where media files are shared or automatically downloaded. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and robust error handling in multimedia processing libraries, as the lack of adequate bounds checking allows attackers to manipulate internal state variables and corrupt memory structures.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4619 primarily focus on updating to patched versions of the affected software components. Organizations should immediately upgrade to libFLAC version 1.2.1 or later, which includes proper integer overflow protections and enhanced input validation. For Winamp users, updating to version 5.5 or newer provides protection against this vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should implement file type filtering and content scanning mechanisms to prevent automatic processing of potentially malicious audio files. Network security controls such as intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor for patterns associated with malformed FLAC files, while application whitelisting policies can restrict execution of untrusted media processing applications. The vulnerability highlights the necessity of regular security updates and proper software maintenance practices in preventing exploitation of known integer overflow conditions that can lead to critical system compromise.