CVE-2008-4654 in VLC Media Player
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the parse_master function in the Ty demux plugin (modules/demux/ty.c) in VLC Media Player 0.9.0 through 0.9.4 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a TiVo TY media file with a header containing a crafted size value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/06/2019
The vulnerability CVE-2008-4654 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow in the Ty demux plugin of VLC Media Player versions 0.9.0 through 0.9.4. This flaw exists within the parse_master function located in modules/demux/ty.c, where the application fails to properly validate size parameters in TiVo TY media file headers. The vulnerability arises from insufficient bounds checking when processing crafted header values that exceed the allocated buffer space on the stack, creating a condition where malicious input can overwrite adjacent memory locations. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, stack-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been consistently identified as a primary attack vector in software security assessments. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote code execution, meaning attackers can exploit this flaw without requiring local access to the target system.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation as it enables arbitrary code execution in the context of the VLC Media Player process. When a victim opens a specially crafted TiVo TY media file, the malicious header data triggers the buffer overflow condition, potentially allowing an attacker to overwrite the return address on the stack and redirect execution flow to malicious code. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as it enables code execution that can be leveraged for further exploitation. The attack surface is broad since VLC Media Player is widely distributed and used across multiple platforms, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. The stack-based nature of the overflow means that the attack can be reliably executed across different systems, as long as the target uses vulnerable VLC versions, and does not require complex exploit chaining or privilege escalation mechanisms.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4654 should focus on immediate version upgrades to VLC Media Player 0.9.5 or later, which contain patches addressing the buffer overflow condition in the Ty demux plugin. System administrators should implement strict file type validation and restrict user access to potentially malicious media files through network filtering and content scanning solutions. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in multimedia processing libraries, which should be enforced through secure coding practices and regular security audits. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized media players or plugins, and deploy intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file handling patterns. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening media files from untrusted sources, as social engineering remains a common vector for delivering malicious media files that exploit such vulnerabilities. The patch for this vulnerability specifically addresses the insufficient validation of header size values in the parse_master function, ensuring that all input parameters are properly bounded before being used to allocate or copy data into stack buffers, thereby preventing the overflow condition from occurring.