CVE-2008-2430 in VLC Media Player
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the Open function in modules/demux/wav.c in VLC Media Player 0.8.6h on Windows allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a large fmt chunk in a WAV file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/29/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-2430 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the VLC Media Player 0.8.6h implementation on Windows platforms. This vulnerability specifically affects the Open function located in the modules/demux/wav.c source file, which processes WAV audio files during playback initialization. The flaw occurs when VLC encounters a malformed WAV file containing an excessively large fmt chunk, triggering a condition where integer arithmetic operations exceed the maximum representable value for the data type being used. This particular implementation does not properly validate or sanitize the size parameters within the WAV file format, creating a scenario where maliciously crafted audio files can exploit this weakness to cause unexpected behavior in the media player's memory management systems.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental principle of integer overflow, where a calculation involving unsigned or signed integers produces a result that exceeds the maximum value that can be stored in the allocated memory space. In the context of WAV file parsing, the fmt chunk contains crucial header information about the audio format, including sample rate, bit depth, and channel configuration. When an attacker crafts a WAV file with an intentionally inflated size value within the fmt chunk, the VLC player's demuxer attempts to allocate memory based on this malformed size parameter, resulting in insufficient memory allocation or buffer overflows that can be manipulated to execute arbitrary code. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of how improper input validation can lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it requires no user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it a remote code execution vulnerability that can be delivered through various means including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing platforms.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple media playback disruption, as successful exploitation can provide attackers with complete control over the target system running the vulnerable VLC version. The Windows-specific nature of this vulnerability means that attackers can leverage the integer overflow to manipulate the program's execution flow, potentially executing malicious code with the privileges of the user running VLC. This creates a significant risk for users who might unknowingly play audio files from untrusted sources, as the attack can occur automatically during normal media playback operations. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is enhanced by the widespread use of VLC Media Player across different operating systems and platforms, making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise user systems. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1059.007 (Command and Scripting Interpreter: Visual Basic) and T1203 (Exploitation for Client Execution) as it enables remote code execution through media player exploitation, and T1068 (Exploitation for Privilege Escalation) when the attacker can leverage the elevated privileges of the media player process to gain further system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-2430 require immediate remediation through software updates and patches provided by the VLC development team, as the original vulnerable version 0.8.6h was superseded by versions that included proper input validation and integer overflow protection mechanisms. Organizations and individuals should prioritize upgrading to patched versions of VLC Media Player, which typically include enhanced bounds checking and parameter validation within the WAV file parsing routines. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing network-based security controls such as content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms that can prevent the automatic execution of potentially malicious media files. The implementation of principle of least privilege practices, where users run VLC with minimal required permissions, can also limit the potential impact of successful exploitation. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory allocation patterns or file processing behavior that might indicate attempts to exploit this vulnerability, particularly in enterprise environments where media file handling is common. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in multimedia processing applications and demonstrates how seemingly benign file format parsing can become a vector for sophisticated attacks.