CVE-2008-5616 in MPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the demux_open_vqf function in libmpdemux/demux_vqf.c in MPlayer 1.0 rc2 before r28150 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed TwinVQ file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/23/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-5616 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the MPlayer media playback software ecosystem. This vulnerability specifically affects the demux_open_vqf function located in the libmpdemux/demux_vqf.c source file, which is responsible for handling TwinVQ audio file format parsing. The flaw exists in MPlayer versions 1.0 rc2 and earlier, particularly before the r28150 revision, creating a window of exposure where remote attackers could exploit this weakness to gain unauthorized code execution capabilities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the demux_vqf.c module when processing malformed TwinVQ files. When MPlayer attempts to parse a specially crafted TwinVQ file, the demux_open_vqf function fails to properly bounds-check data read from the file header, allowing an attacker to overflow the allocated stack buffer. This buffer overflow occurs because the application does not validate the size of data structures within the TwinVQ file format before copying them into fixed-size stack buffers, creating a classic stack corruption scenario that can be leveraged for arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple media playback disruption, as it enables remote code execution capabilities that can be exploited by malicious actors without requiring local system access. Attackers can craft malicious TwinVQ files that, when opened by an unpatched MPlayer instance, will trigger the buffer overflow condition and potentially allow for full system compromise. This vulnerability particularly affects users who may encounter or download untrusted TwinVQ files from the internet, making it a significant concern for media consumption environments where users might encounter malicious content.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with common attack patterns documented in the ATT&CK framework under the execution and privilege escalation domains, where attackers leverage software vulnerabilities to execute malicious code. This flaw can be categorized under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which represents a fundamental weakness in memory management where data is written beyond the bounds of a stack buffer. The vulnerability demonstrates how legacy media processing software can contain critical security flaws that persist across multiple versions, highlighting the importance of regular security updates and vulnerability management practices. Organizations and individuals using MPlayer should prioritize immediate patching to mitigate this risk, as the vulnerability provides direct paths to system compromise through remote exploitation without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious file.