CVE-2009-2484 in VLC Media Player
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the Win32AddConnection function in modules/access/smb.c in VideoLAN VLC media player 0.9.9, when running on Microsoft Windows, allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long smb URI in a playlist file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/31/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2484 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the VideoLAN VLC media player version 0.9.9 on Microsoft Windows platforms. This flaw specifically affects the Win32AddConnection function located in the modules/access/smb.c file, which handles SMB (Server Message Block) protocol connections. The vulnerability arises when VLC processes playlist files containing maliciously crafted SMB URIs, creating a scenario where attacker-controlled input can overwrite adjacent memory on the stack. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through legitimate media playlist files, making it difficult to distinguish between benign and malicious content.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the SMB URI processing code. When VLC encounters a playlist file containing an overly long SMB URI, the Win32AddConnection function fails to properly validate the length of the input string before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite return addresses, stack canaries, and other critical memory structures, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or application crash. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which directly maps to the attack pattern described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1190 for exploitation of remote services.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it provides attackers with potential paths for privilege escalation and system compromise. An attacker could craft a malicious playlist file containing a specially constructed SMB URI that, when opened by an unsuspecting user, would trigger the buffer overflow and potentially execute malicious code with the privileges of the running VLC process. This makes the vulnerability particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users might unknowingly open malicious media files or when VLC is used in automated systems. The vulnerability affects all Windows versions supported by VLC 0.9.9, including Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7, making it a widespread concern for organizations using this media player version.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2484 primarily focus on immediate patching and input validation improvements. Organizations should immediately upgrade to VLC media player version 0.9.10 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for this buffer overflow vulnerability. Additionally, system administrators should implement strict playlist file validation policies, particularly for files originating from untrusted sources. Network-level controls can include blocking SMB protocol access from untrusted networks and implementing content filtering for media files. The vulnerability highlights the importance of secure coding practices and input validation, particularly when handling user-supplied data in network protocols. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual VLC process behavior and potential exploitation attempts through malformed playlist files. This vulnerability demonstrates the critical need for regular security updates and the importance of maintaining current software versions to protect against known exploits.