CVE-2009-0894 in xvid
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the decoder_create function in the initialization functionality in xvidcore/src/decoder.c in Xvid before 1.2.2, as used by Windows Media Player and other applications, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via vectors involving the DirectShow (aka DShow) frontend and improper handling of the XVID_ERR_MEMORY return code during processing of a crafted movie file. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/10/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-0894 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw within the xvidcore library's decoder component, specifically in the decoder_create function located at xvidcore/src/decoder.c. This issue affects Xvid versions prior to 1.2.2 and has significant implications for applications that utilize the DirectShow frontend including Windows Media Player and other multimedia frameworks. The vulnerability stems from improper memory management during the initialization phase of the video decoder, creating a condition where maliciously crafted movie files can trigger memory corruption that leads to arbitrary code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the DirectShow frontend interface which processes media files through the xvidcore library. During the decoding initialization process, the decoder_create function fails to properly handle the XVID_ERR_MEMORY return code, which should indicate memory allocation failures. When a crafted movie file is processed, the improper handling of this error condition allows attackers to manipulate heap memory layout and overwrite critical memory regions. This memory corruption enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, typically resulting in complete system compromise when the vulnerable application runs with elevated permissions. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of memory safety and error handling, where the failure to properly validate memory allocation results creates a pathway for controlled memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass complete system compromise when exploited against applications running with sufficient privileges. The vulnerability affects not only Windows Media Player but also any application that integrates the xvidcore library through the DirectShow framework, creating a wide attack surface across various multimedia applications. Attackers can craft malicious video files that, when opened or played through vulnerable applications, trigger the buffer overflow condition. The exploit requires remote delivery of the malicious file through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or network shares. The vulnerability's severity is amplified by the fact that many multimedia applications automatically process and decode media files without user intervention, making exploitation potentially automatic and widespread.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-0894 primarily focus on immediate patching of the xvidcore library to version 1.2.2 or later, which includes proper error handling for memory allocation failures. System administrators should ensure that all applications utilizing the xvidcore library are updated to versions that incorporate the patched decoder functionality. Network-based mitigations include implementing content filtering to block suspicious media files and restricting access to potentially malicious file types through firewalls and security appliances. Application whitelisting and sandboxing techniques can provide additional protection by limiting the execution environment of multimedia applications. From a defensive perspective, this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and maps to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for execution through multimedia applications. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management programs to identify and remediate similar memory safety issues across their software ecosystems, particularly focusing on error handling and memory allocation validation in multimedia processing libraries.