CVE-2008-0486 in MPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Array index vulnerability in libmpdemux/demux_audio.c in MPlayer 1.0rc2 and SVN before r25917, and possibly earlier versions, as used in Xine-lib 1.1.10, might allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted FLAC tag, which triggers a buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/05/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0486 represents a critical array index error within the MPlayer media processing framework that affects multiple components including libmpdemux/demux_audio.c in MPlayer version 1.0rc2 and earlier, as well as Xine-lib 1.1.10. This flaw manifests as a buffer overflow condition that occurs when processing specially crafted FLAC audio tags, creating a pathway for remote code execution attacks. The vulnerability specifically targets the demultiplexing process responsible for handling audio streams, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through media files that appear legitimate but contain maliciously constructed metadata.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking during the processing of FLAC metadata within the audio demuxing subsystem. When MPlayer encounters a crafted FLAC tag containing malformed index values, the software fails to validate array access boundaries, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged by attackers to overwrite critical program memory locations. This type of flaw maps directly to CWE-129, which describes improper validation of array indices, and represents a classic example of an out-of-bounds read/write condition that can be exploited through memory corruption techniques. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is significantly enhanced by the fact that it can be triggered remotely through network-based media delivery, making it particularly concerning for media servers and streaming applications.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-0486 extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a complete compromise of system integrity within the context of media processing applications. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to full system compromise if the media player is running with elevated permissions. The attack vector through crafted FLAC tags means that users could be vulnerable simply by opening or playing media files that contain the malicious metadata, making this a particularly stealthy and dangerous vulnerability. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and script interpreter execution, as successful exploitation would likely involve executing malicious code within the context of the media processing environment. The vulnerability affects a wide range of applications that rely on the affected libraries, including but not limited to media players, streaming servers, and content management systems that process audio files.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected software versions, with the most effective solution being the upgrade to patched versions of MPlayer and Xine-lib that include proper bounds checking for array access operations. System administrators should implement network segmentation and content filtering to prevent the delivery of potentially malicious media files to end-user systems, particularly in environments where users may not be able to control their media sources. The vulnerability's nature as a buffer overflow also suggests that implementing address space layout randomization, stack canaries, and other exploit mitigation techniques can provide additional defense in depth. Organizations should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all systems running affected software versions and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts. Given the remote execution capability, network-based intrusion detection systems should be configured to monitor for patterns consistent with this vulnerability's exploitation methods, particularly in relation to FLAC file processing activities.