CVE-2009-2498 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Windows Media Format Runtime 9.0, 9.5, and 11 and Windows Media Services 9.1 and 2008 do not properly parse malformed headers in Advanced Systems Format (ASF) files, which allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted (1) .asf, (2) .wmv, or (3) .wma file, aka "Windows Media Header Parsing Invalid Free Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2498 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within Microsoft Windows Media Format Runtime components affecting versions 9.0, 9.5, and 11, alongside Windows Media Services 9.1 and 2008. This flaw resides in the improper handling of malformed Advanced Systems Format file headers, specifically within the parsing logic that processes ASF container structures. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of multimedia processing and memory management, where the runtime fails to validate the integrity of header fields before attempting to allocate memory or process data structures. This parsing failure creates an exploitable condition that can be triggered through carefully crafted media files, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted media content.
The technical mechanism behind this vulnerability involves the Windows Media Format Runtime's handling of free chunks within ASF files, where the software attempts to process header information without adequate bounds checking. When malformed headers contain oversized or malformed size fields, the runtime's memory allocation routines can be manipulated to cause buffer overflows, leading to potential code execution in the context of the affected application. This behavior aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-125, which addresses out-of-bounds reads that can lead to memory corruption. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1203, where adversaries leverage software flaws to execute arbitrary code, particularly through media file manipulation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a means to compromise systems running affected Windows Media components without requiring user interaction beyond opening or playing the malicious media file. The attack surface includes any system with Windows Media Format Runtime installed, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where media playback is common. Remote attackers can exploit this vulnerability through web-based attacks, email attachments, or file-sharing scenarios where users might encounter malicious ASF, WMV, or WMA files. The exploitability is enhanced by the fact that these media formats are commonly used and trusted by users, making social engineering attacks more effective. Systems with default Windows Media Player installations or web servers configured to serve media content are particularly at risk, as the vulnerability can be triggered without any special privileges or user awareness.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2498 should focus on both immediate patching and operational security measures. Microsoft released security updates that addressed the header parsing logic and implemented proper bounds checking for ASF file processing. Organizations should prioritize applying the relevant security patches as soon as possible, as this vulnerability was actively exploited in the wild during the time of its discovery. Network-based mitigations can include filtering ASF and related media file types at network boundaries, particularly in environments where such files are not required for legitimate business operations. Additional protective measures include disabling automatic media playback in web browsers, implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict media player execution, and conducting regular security assessments to identify systems with outdated Windows Media components. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of secure coding practices in multimedia processing libraries and demonstrates how seemingly benign file format parsing can become a critical security concern when proper input validation is absent.