CVE-2009-1545 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in Avifil32.dll in the Windows Media file handling functionality in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP2, Vista Gold, SP1, and SP2, and Server 2008 Gold and SP2 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a malformed header in a crafted AVI file, aka "Malformed AVI Header Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1545 represents a critical security flaw within Microsoft's Windows Media file handling subsystem, specifically affecting the Avifil32.dll component that processes AVI multimedia files. This vulnerability resides in the core Windows Media infrastructure that has been present across multiple Windows operating system versions including Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, Server 2003 SP2, Vista Gold, SP1, and SP2, as well as Server 2008 Gold and SP2. The flaw manifests when the system processes malformed headers within crafted AVI files, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. This vulnerability is categorized under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, where the system attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries during AVI file header parsing operations.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of AVI file headers, specifically targeting the way Windows Media Player and other applications that utilize the Avifil32.dll component parse these headers. When a maliciously crafted AVI file is processed, the vulnerable code fails to properly validate the header structure, leading to memory corruption that can be leveraged to overwrite critical memory locations. Attackers can craft AVI files with specially designed headers that cause the system to jump to attacker-controlled code execution paths. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, specifically through the use of Windows command shell, as successful exploitation allows for full system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or file sharing networks, making it a prime target for widespread exploitation campaigns.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-1545 is severe and far-reaching across enterprise environments, as it affects a broad range of Windows operating systems that were prevalent during the period when this vulnerability was active. The vulnerability enables attackers to achieve complete system compromise without requiring user interaction beyond the simple act of opening or previewing the malicious file, making it particularly effective for social engineering attacks. Once exploited, the vulnerability provides attackers with the ability to install malware, modify system files, create backdoors, and escalate privileges to SYSTEM level access. The attack surface is extensive since AVI files are commonly encountered in email attachments, web content, and file sharing environments, with many legitimate applications capable of triggering the vulnerable code path. Organizations running affected Windows versions were particularly vulnerable to targeted attacks, as the exploitation could occur silently in the background without user awareness, potentially leading to data breaches, system infiltration, and persistent threats within network environments.
Microsoft addressed this vulnerability through security updates released as part of their regular patching cycle, with the specific fix being included in the May 2009 security updates for Windows systems. The recommended mitigation strategies include immediate deployment of the applicable security patches and updates, along with network segmentation to limit exposure to potentially malicious AVI files. Organizations should also implement content filtering solutions that can detect and block suspicious AVI files, particularly those with malformed headers or unusual file characteristics. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia processing components, as demonstrated by the ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, which emphasizes the need for robust file validation mechanisms. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of unauthorized code and reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability serves as a critical reminder of the importance of keeping systems updated and the dangers of legacy software components that may contain unpatched security flaws, particularly in widely used multimedia processing libraries that can be triggered through common user activities.