CVE-2009-1791 in WinAmp
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in aiff_read_header in libsndfile 1.0.15 through 1.0.19, as used in Winamp 5.552 and possibly other media programs, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via an AIFF file with an invalid header value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/10/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-1791 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the libsndfile library version 1.0.15 through 1.0.19, specifically affecting the aiff_read_header function. This flaw exists in the handling of Audio Interchange File Format files and has been exploited in media applications including Winamp 5.552, making it a significant concern for multimedia software ecosystems. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation when processing AIFF file headers, allowing attackers to manipulate header values in ways that exceed allocated buffer boundaries during memory allocation and data processing. The affected library serves as a foundational component for audio file handling across numerous applications, amplifying the potential impact of this vulnerability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the improper handling of AIFF file header structures where the application fails to validate the length fields within the file format before attempting to allocate memory for processing. When an attacker crafts an AIFF file with malformed header values, the application's parsing routine attempts to allocate heap memory based on these invalid size parameters, resulting in a buffer overflow condition. This overflow can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting program execution flow and leading to application crashes. According to CWE classification, this represents a classic heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability with CWE-122, which specifically addresses the condition where a program writes to a buffer beyond the boundaries of that buffer in heap memory. The overflow condition creates an opportunity for attackers to manipulate program control flow, potentially enabling arbitrary code execution through carefully crafted input sequences.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to include potential remote code execution capabilities, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where users might unknowingly open maliciously crafted audio files. The vulnerability affects not only Winamp but also any application that utilizes the vulnerable libsndfile library, creating a widespread attack surface across multimedia applications. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by hosting malicious AIFF files on web servers or distributing them through social engineering campaigns, where unsuspecting users might open these files with vulnerable applications. The attack vector requires no special privileges and can be executed remotely, making it particularly attractive to threat actors seeking to compromise systems through media file exploitation. Additionally, the vulnerability's presence in multiple applications demonstrates the cascading effects of library-level vulnerabilities in software ecosystems, where a single flaw can affect numerous downstream products.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-1791 should prioritize immediate patching of affected libsndfile versions to 1.0.20 or later, which includes the necessary input validation fixes for header parsing. System administrators should implement application whitelisting and file type restrictions to prevent execution of untrusted audio files, particularly in enterprise environments where users might encounter malicious content. Network-based protections such as intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor for suspicious AIFF file patterns, while regular security assessments should verify that all applications using libsndfile have been updated to secure versions. The vulnerability's characteristics align with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the exploitation of software vulnerabilities for code execution, emphasizing the need for comprehensive vulnerability management programs. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for media processing applications to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts, and maintain detailed logs of media file processing activities to detect anomalous behavior patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts.