CVE-2008-0065 in Nullsoft Winamp
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in in_mp3.dll in Winamp 5.21, 5.5, and 5.51 allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long (1) artist or (2) name tag in Ultravox streaming metadata, related to construction of stream titles.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0065 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting Winamp media player versions 5.21, 5.5, and 5.51. This vulnerability resides within the in_mp3.dll plugin component and specifically targets the handling of Ultravox streaming metadata tags, particularly the artist and name fields. The flaw arises from insufficient input validation when constructing stream titles from metadata received from streaming sources, creating an exploitable condition that allows remote code execution through maliciously crafted metadata payloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking in the parsing routine that processes Ultravox metadata tags. When Winamp encounters streaming content with excessively long artist or name tag values, the application fails to properly validate the input length before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This classic buffer overflow condition occurs because the application does not enforce maximum length limits on metadata fields, allowing attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory with controlled data. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous as it can be triggered remotely through streaming audio sources, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise systems running vulnerable Winamp versions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with complete system compromise capabilities when successfully exploited. According to the attack pattern taxonomy, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a high-risk weakness in the CWE hierarchy. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can potentially compromise systems without requiring local access or user interaction, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for enterprise environments where streaming media is commonly used. The attack surface includes any system running affected Winamp versions that accesses internet radio streams or other media sources that might provide malicious metadata.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate patching of affected Winamp installations, as the original vendor released updates to address the buffer overflow conditions in subsequent versions. Security administrators should implement network monitoring to detect unusual metadata patterns in streaming traffic and consider restricting access to streaming sources until systems are patched. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and proper bounds checking in multimedia processing applications, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted media plugins and ensure that streaming media applications are regularly updated to address known vulnerabilities in their component libraries.