CVE-2008-4504 in Hero DVD Player
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in Mplayer.exe in Herosoft Inc. Hero DVD Player 3.0.8 allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an M3u file with a "long entry." NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/25/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4504 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting Mplayer.exe component within Herosoft Inc. Hero DVD Player version 3.0.8. This security flaw exists within the media player's handling of playlist files, specifically M3U format entries that contain excessively long data sequences. The vulnerability classification aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, which occurs when a program writes data beyond the boundaries of heap-allocated memory regions. The attack vector requires user-assisted remote exploitation, meaning that an attacker must convince a victim to open a maliciously crafted M3U file, typically through social engineering or compromised websites.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the M3U playlist parser. When the Hero DVD Player processes an M3U file containing an excessively long entry, the application fails to properly bounds-check the data before copying it into allocated heap memory buffers. This oversight allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and enabling arbitrary code execution. The heap-based nature of the vulnerability means that the overflow occurs in dynamically allocated memory regions, making exploitation more complex but also more dangerous as it can lead to unpredictable memory corruption patterns.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential foothold for more sophisticated attacks within the victim's system. Successful exploitation could result in complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive data, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects Windows operating systems where Hero DVD Player is installed, and given the widespread use of media players in consumer environments, the potential attack surface is substantial. The user-assisted nature of the attack requires social engineering components but does not require elevated privileges for initial compromise, making it particularly dangerous in targeted attack scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4504 should focus on immediate patching of the affected software, as Herosoft Inc. would have released updates addressing this specific vulnerability. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies for playlist files and consider deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of untrusted media player components. Network security controls including intrusion detection systems should monitor for suspicious M3U file patterns and malformed playlist entries. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for media file processing and regularly audit their software inventory to identify and remediate vulnerable applications. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, Exploitation for Client Execution, highlighting the need for both endpoint protection and network-based defenses to prevent exploitation attempts.