CVE-2009-0136 in Amarok
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple array index errors in the Audible::Tag::readTag function in metadata/audible/audibletag.cpp in Amarok 1.4.10 through 2.0.1 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or execute arbitrary code via an Audible Audio (.aa) file with a crafted (1) nlen or (2) vlen Tag value, each of which can lead to an invalid pointer dereference, or the writing of a 0x00 byte to an arbitrary memory location, after an allocation failure.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/21/2025
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-0136 represents a critical security flaw within the Amarok media player software ecosystem, specifically affecting versions 1.4.10 through 2.0.1. This issue resides in the Audible::Tag::readTag function located in the metadata/audible/audibletag.cpp file, where multiple array index errors create exploitable conditions that can be leveraged by remote attackers to compromise system integrity. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation mechanisms that fail to adequately sanitize or verify the nlen and vlen Tag values within crafted Audible Audio files, creating a pathway for malicious code execution or system disruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability manifests through two distinct but related code paths that exploit array indexing flaws in the audio metadata parsing process. When an attacker crafts an .aa file with maliciously manipulated nlen or vlen values, the application's parsing logic attempts to access memory locations that are either beyond the allocated array boundaries or contain invalid references. This results in either invalid pointer dereference conditions that cause application crashes and denial of service scenarios, or more critically, allows for arbitrary memory writing operations where a 0x00 byte can be written to any memory location specified by the attacker. The vulnerability's exploitation requires an allocation failure condition to be present, which typically occurs when the system's memory management cannot properly handle the malformed input data structures.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-0136 extends beyond simple denial of service to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities that pose significant risks to end-user systems. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write conditions. Attackers can leverage this flaw by distributing maliciously crafted .aa files through various attack vectors including email attachments, malicious websites, or peer-to-peer networks, where unsuspecting users might inadvertently open these files with the vulnerable Amarok application. The exploitation process follows ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries use legitimate system tools to execute malicious code, and T1059, which involves the execution of commands through application interfaces.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected Amarok versions to address the underlying array indexing errors in the metadata parsing component. System administrators should implement network-based controls to prevent the download and execution of untrusted audio files, particularly those with .aa extensions from unknown sources. The fix involves proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms that ensure nlen and vlen values remain within acceptable ranges before any memory allocation or array access operations occur. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening audio files from untrusted sources and the importance of keeping their media player software updated. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper memory management and input validation in multimedia applications, where metadata parsing operations can become attack vectors when not properly secured against malformed input data. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of unauthorized media players or plugins that might be vulnerable to similar array indexing flaws.