CVE-2007-4941 in KMPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
KMPlayer 2.9.3.1210 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (CPU consumption) via a .avi file with certain large "indx truck size" and nEntriesInuse values.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/17/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-4941 represents a critical denial of service flaw within KMPlayer version 2.9.3.1210 and earlier. This issue specifically affects the media player's handling of .avi file formats, where maliciously crafted file parameters can trigger excessive cpu resource consumption. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and improper handling of file metadata structures, particularly focusing on the "indx truck size" and "nEntriesInuse" parameters that define the index structure within avi container files.
The technical flaw manifests when KMPlayer processes an avi file containing specially crafted values for the index truck size and number of entries in use. These parameters control how the media player reads and parses the file's index structure, which is essential for proper media playback. When attackers manipulate these values to extremely large numbers, the player's parsing routine enters into an infinite or excessively long loop, consuming cpu cycles continuously until the system becomes unresponsive or the player crashes. This behavior constitutes a classic resource exhaustion attack pattern that aligns with CWE-400, which categorizes unchecked resource consumption as a fundamental weakness in software design. The vulnerability operates at the application layer and can be exploited remotely through malicious file delivery, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where users might unknowingly open compromised media files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple service disruption, as it can effectively render the affected system unusable for media playback operations. Attackers can exploit this weakness by distributing malicious .avi files through various channels including email attachments, file sharing networks, or compromised websites. Once a user opens such a file with the vulnerable KMPlayer version, the system experiences significant cpu load spikes that can lead to complete system slowdowns or complete hang conditions. The attack requires minimal privileges and can be executed without user interaction beyond opening the file, making it particularly dangerous in automated or unattended systems. This vulnerability directly impacts the availability aspect of the CIA triad and can be categorized under ATT&CK technique T1499.100, which describes resource exhaustion attacks targeting application availability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-4941 primarily focus on updating to patched versions of KMPlayer, as the vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases. System administrators should implement file validation measures to scan and filter potentially malicious media files before they reach end users. Network-based intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor for unusual cpu consumption patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, implementing sandboxing techniques for media file processing can limit the impact of such attacks by isolating the vulnerable player application from critical system resources. Users should be educated about the risks of opening unknown media files and the importance of keeping their media players updated. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted media players or applications that are vulnerable to similar resource exhaustion attacks. The fix typically involves proper bounds checking and validation of file metadata parameters before processing, ensuring that index truck size and entry count values remain within reasonable limits that prevent excessive resource allocation during file parsing operations.