CVE-2009-1301 in mpg123
Summary
by MITRE
Integer signedness error in the store_id3_text function in the ID3v2 code in mpg123 before 1.7.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds memory access) and possibly execute arbitrary code via an ID3 tag with a negative encoding value. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/01/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1301 represents a critical integer signedness error within the mpg123 media player software's ID3v2 tag processing functionality. This flaw exists in the store_id3_text function where the software fails to properly validate the encoding value contained within ID3 tags, specifically when handling negative values that indicate signed integer representation. The issue affects mpg123 versions prior to 1.7.2, making it a persistent threat in older deployments where updates have not been applied.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of signed versus unsigned integer values during the parsing of ID3v2 metadata. When an ID3 tag contains a negative encoding value, the software's internal processing logic treats this value as a signed integer without proper bounds checking or validation. This mismanagement creates a scenario where the application may interpret the negative value as a positive index or size parameter, leading to out-of-bounds memory access patterns that can trigger memory corruption. The vulnerability manifests as a direct result of CWE-191, which specifically addresses integer underflow conditions, and is further exacerbated by CWE-129, dealing with insufficient input validation.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to systems processing multimedia content, particularly those that automatically parse and display ID3 metadata from audio files. Remote attackers can craft malicious ID3 tags with negative encoding values that, when processed by vulnerable mpg123 instances, will cause the application to access memory locations outside its allocated buffer space. The potential for arbitrary code execution arises when memory corruption occurs in a manner that allows attackers to manipulate program flow or overwrite critical memory segments. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities for privilege escalation and code execution.
The impact extends beyond simple denial of service, as the vulnerability can be leveraged for more sophisticated attacks when combined with other exploitation techniques. Systems that rely on mpg123 for audio processing, including streaming services, media players, and automated content analysis tools, become vulnerable to remote exploitation. The vulnerability's exploitation requires minimal payload complexity, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users may encounter untrusted audio content. Organizations should prioritize immediate patching to version 1.7.2 or later, as the fix addresses the core integer validation issue through proper bounds checking and explicit handling of signed integer values in the ID3 tag processing pipeline.