CVE-2008-5072 in Mega Codec Pack
Summary
by MITRE
vsfilter.dll in K-Lite Mega Codec Pack 3.5.7.0 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a malformed FLV file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5072 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack version 3.5.7.0, specifically affecting the vsfilter.dll component responsible for subtitle rendering in multimedia playback. This vulnerability manifests when the affected codec pack processes malformed FLV (Flash Video) files, leading to application instability and potential system crashes. The issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the subtitle filtering module, which fails to properly handle malformed or maliciously crafted video files that contain crafted subtitle data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of FLV file structures, particularly targeting the subtitle data sections that vsfilter.dll processes during video playback. When the codec pack encounters a malformed FLV file containing specially crafted subtitle information, the vsfilter.dll component attempts to parse and render these subtitles without proper bounds checking or error handling. This lack of defensive programming practices creates a condition where buffer overflows or invalid memory access patterns can occur, ultimately resulting in the application crashing and terminating the multimedia playback session. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write vulnerabilities that can occur during improper input validation.
The operational impact of CVE-2008-5072 extends beyond simple application instability, as it can be leveraged by remote attackers to disrupt multimedia services and potentially compromise user experience across various platforms. Users who download or receive FLV files from untrusted sources become vulnerable to this attack vector, as the malicious files can be distributed through email attachments, peer-to-peer networks, or compromised websites. The vulnerability particularly affects systems running the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack, which was widely distributed and used, amplifying the potential attack surface. From an attacker perspective, this represents a low-effort, high-impact method for causing service disruption, fitting within the ATT&CK framework under the T1499.004 technique for network denial of service attacks.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve immediate software updates and patches from the codec pack vendor, as well as implementing defensive measures such as input validation at network boundaries and user education regarding file source verification. System administrators should prioritize updating to patched versions of the K-Lite Mega Codec Pack, which would include proper bounds checking and error handling within the vsfilter.dll component. Additionally, organizations can implement network-based filtering to block potentially malicious FLV content or employ sandboxing techniques to isolate multimedia processing. The remediation process should also include regular security assessments of multimedia software components and implementation of proper input sanitization protocols to prevent similar vulnerabilities from emerging in future versions of the software.