CVE-2009-0734 in Nokia PC Suite
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in MultimediaPlayer.exe 6.86.240.7 in Nokia PC Suite 6.86.9.3 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long string in a .m3u playlist file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/01/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0734 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the MultimediaPlayer.exe component of Nokia PC Suite version 6.86.9.3. This flaw exists in the handling of media playlist files, specifically when processing .m3u format files that contain excessively long string data. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking within the multimedia player's parsing logic, creating an exploitable condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory regions in the heap allocation space.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability occurs when the MultimediaPlayer.exe application processes a maliciously crafted .m3u playlist file containing an oversized string parameter. The application fails to properly validate the length of strings within the playlist file before copying them into fixed-size heap buffers. This allows an attacker to supply a string that exceeds the allocated buffer capacity, causing a heap overflow condition that can overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information. The heap-based nature of the overflow provides attackers with significant flexibility in memory corruption patterns and exploitation techniques.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe security risk as it enables remote code execution without requiring local system access. Attackers can deliver malicious .m3u playlist files through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites, making the attack surface particularly broad. Once executed, the overflow can lead to complete system compromise, allowing attackers to install malware, steal sensitive information, or establish persistent backdoors. The vulnerability affects users who have Nokia PC Suite installed and are exposed to untrusted playlist files, creating widespread potential impact across both enterprise and individual users.
The exploitation of this vulnerability aligns with attack patterns documented in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the execution and privilege escalation domains, specifically targeting the execution of malicious code through legitimate software channels. This vulnerability is classified as a heap overflow under CWE-121, which encompasses memory safety issues in heap-based memory allocation. The attack vector represents a classic example of a remote code execution vulnerability that can be exploited through social engineering, as users may unknowingly open malicious playlist files from untrusted sources. Security professionals should note that this vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia processing applications.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0734 should prioritize immediate patching of affected Nokia PC Suite versions, as the vendor has released updates to address this specific heap overflow condition. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies that prevent automatic execution of playlist files from untrusted sources, while also deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious file transfer activities. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening playlist files from unknown origins, and system administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of potentially vulnerable multimedia players. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for robust input validation and memory safety practices in software development, particularly for applications that process user-supplied data in multimedia contexts.