CVE-2008-0661 in dBpowerAMP Audio Player
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in dBpowerAMP Audio Player Release 2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a .M3U file with a long URI. NOTE: this might be the same issue as CVE-2004-1569.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/16/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-0661 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the dBpowerAMP Audio Player version 2 software, specifically affecting the handling of playlist files with the .M3U extension. This security weakness stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms that fail to properly sanitize or limit the length of URI strings contained within maliciously crafted playlist files. The flaw exists in the audio player's parser for M3U format files, which processes and loads playlist data without sufficient bounds checking, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution privileges on affected systems.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability falls under the Common Weakness Enumeration category CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. When a maliciously constructed .M3U file containing an excessively long URI string is processed by the vulnerable audio player, the application allocates a fixed-size buffer to store the URI data but fails to verify that the incoming data exceeds the allocated memory boundaries. This oversight creates a scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite critical memory segments including return addresses, function pointers, or other control structures, enabling remote code execution through carefully crafted payload delivery.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant threat to users who may unknowingly download or receive malicious playlist files from untrusted sources. The attack vector requires remote exploitation through a specially crafted .M3U file, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently exchange media playlists or access content from external sources. The impact extends beyond simple code execution to potentially allow attackers to escalate privileges, install malware, or establish persistent access to compromised systems. This vulnerability is particularly concerning in enterprise environments where audio players might be used in automated playlist management systems or shared media libraries.
The security implications of CVE-2008-0661 align with several tactics outlined in the MITRE ATT&CK framework, specifically covering initial access through malicious file delivery and execution through code injection techniques. The vulnerability's classification as a remote code execution flaw places it within the attacker's ability to achieve system compromise without requiring physical access or user interaction beyond opening the malicious playlist file. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected software version, implementation of strict file validation policies for playlist files, network-based filtering to prevent execution of known malicious file types, and user education regarding the risks of opening untrusted playlist files. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized audio player versions and establish monitoring procedures to detect potential exploitation attempts through unusual network activity patterns or system behavior anomalies.