CVE-2008-3182 in Download Accelerator Plus
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in DAP.exe in Download Accelerator Plus (DAP) 7.0.1.3, 8.6.6.3, and other 8.x versions allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an M3U (.m3u) file containing a long MP3 URL.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/01/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-3182 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in the DAP.exe component of Download Accelerator Plus software versions 7.0.1.3, 8.6.6.3, and other 8.x releases. This flaw exists within the application's handling of M3U playlist files, specifically when processing MP3 URL entries that exceed predetermined buffer limits. The vulnerability operates through a user-assisted remote attack vector, meaning that an attacker must convince a victim to open a maliciously crafted M3U file for exploitation to occur. The buffer overflow occurs during the parsing of media URLs within the playlist format, where insufficient bounds checking allows malicious input to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the stack. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking permits writes beyond the allocated buffer space.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables remote attackers to potentially take complete control of the affected system. When a victim opens a malicious M3U file, the buffer overflow can corrupt the stack frame and potentially overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data structures. This allows attackers to redirect program execution flow to malicious code injected into the buffer or to existing code within the application's memory space. The attack requires minimal user interaction since the vulnerability is triggered by simply opening the file, making it particularly dangerous in social engineering scenarios where users might be tricked into downloading and opening seemingly legitimate media playlists. According to ATT&CK framework, this vulnerability maps to T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution, where attackers leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code on target systems.
The exploitation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic stack buffer overflow attack pattern that has been prevalent in software security for decades, with the specific implementation details tied to the M3U file format parsing logic within DAP's media handling routines. The vulnerability's persistence across multiple minor versions suggests a fundamental flaw in the input validation mechanism rather than a one-time coding error. Security researchers have noted that such buffer overflow conditions often result in unpredictable behavior, making exploitation challenging but not impossible, particularly when combined with other techniques like return-oriented programming or information leakage attacks. Organizations using Download Accelerator Plus should consider immediate remediation through software updates or patches provided by the vendor, as the vulnerability represents a significant risk to system integrity and user data confidentiality. The incident highlights the importance of input validation and bounds checking in media processing applications, particularly those handling user-supplied data in formats like M3U which are commonly used for organizing and distributing multimedia content.