CVE-2007-6401 in Mpeg-4 Codec
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in mplayer2.exe in Microsoft Windows Media Player (WMP) 6.4, when used with the 3ivx 4.5.1 or 5.0.1 codec, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a certain .mp4 file, possibly a related issue to CVE-2007-6402.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/02/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2007-6401 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in Microsoft Windows Media Player version 6.4 that specifically manifests when processing media files through the 3ivx 4.5.1 or 5.0.1 codec implementations. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow category, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the program stack. The flaw occurs during the parsing of maliciously crafted .mp4 files that leverage specific encoding parameters supported by the 3ivx codec, creating an exploitable condition that can be triggered remotely through network-based delivery methods. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it directly impacts one of the most widely deployed media player applications in enterprise and consumer environments, making it a prime target for exploitation.
The technical mechanism of exploitation involves the manipulation of the 3ivx codec's handling of certain MP4 file structures that contain oversized data fields or malformed metadata. When Windows Media Player 6.4 processes these specially crafted files, the 3ivx codec fails to properly validate the size of incoming data structures, leading to a buffer overflow that overwrites the return address on the stack. This allows remote attackers to redirect execution flow to malicious code injected into the program's memory space. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as successful exploitation enables arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the Windows Media Player process, typically running with user-level permissions but potentially elevated through additional attack vectors.
The operational impact of CVE-2007-6401 extends beyond simple remote code execution, as it represents a significant threat to system integrity and network security within enterprise environments where media player applications are frequently used. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can deliver malicious payloads through web-based attacks, email attachments, or file sharing systems without requiring local access to target systems. Organizations running affected versions of Windows Media Player face potential compromise of user systems, data theft, and lateral movement opportunities for attackers who successfully exploit this vulnerability. The presence of similar issues such as CVE-2007-6402 in the same software ecosystem suggests that Microsoft's media handling components were particularly vulnerable during this timeframe, indicating a broader architectural weakness in the codec processing pipeline that required extensive remediation efforts.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2007-6401 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Windows Media Player versions with Microsoft security updates, particularly those addressing the 3ivx codec processing flaws. System administrators should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit exposure of vulnerable systems, while also deploying application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted media files. The vulnerability highlights the importance of codec validation and input sanitization practices, aligning with security best practices recommended in the NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISO 27001 standards for vulnerability management. Organizations should also consider implementing network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious media file processing patterns and monitor for exploitation attempts targeting known vulnerable software versions. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify and remediate similar codec-based vulnerabilities in other multimedia applications that may present comparable attack surfaces.