CVE-2009-2499 in Media Format Runtime
Summary
by MITRE
Microsoft Windows Media Format Runtime 9.0, 9.5, and 11; and Microsoft Media Foundation on Windows Vista Gold, SP1, and SP2 and Server 2008; allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an MP3 file with crafted metadata that triggers memory corruption, aka "Windows Media Playback Memory Corruption Vulnerability."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/18/2018
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-2499 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within Microsoft Windows Media Format Runtime components and Media Foundation implementations across multiple Windows operating systems. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of MP3 files containing crafted metadata, creating a scenario where remote attackers can exploit the flaw to execute arbitrary code on affected systems. The affected versions include Windows Media Format Runtime 9.0, 9.5, and 11, along with Microsoft Media Foundation on Windows Vista Gold, SP1, and SP2, as well as Server 2008. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and memory management when processing MP3 metadata fields, particularly those related to ID3 tags and other audio file metadata structures.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of MP3 file metadata that contains maliciously crafted data structures. When the Windows Media Format Runtime or Media Foundation attempts to parse and process these malformed metadata fields, the parsing routines fail to properly validate the input data, leading to memory corruption conditions. This memory corruption can result in buffer overflows, heap corruption, or other memory management errors that allow attackers to overwrite critical memory locations with malicious code. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and more specifically aligns with CWE-125, describing out-of-bounds read conditions that can lead to memory corruption. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be triggered through media playback without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it a prime candidate for drive-by download attacks and automated exploitation campaigns.
From an operational impact perspective, this vulnerability presents a severe threat to enterprise environments where Windows systems are prevalent and media playback is common. The ability to execute arbitrary code remotely through media files means that attackers can gain full system compromise without requiring any user interaction beyond accessing the malicious content. This makes the vulnerability particularly attractive for advanced persistent threat campaigns and mass exploitation attempts. The widespread adoption of Windows Media Format Runtime components across different Windows versions and service packs increases the potential attack surface significantly. Organizations running affected systems face risks including data exfiltration, system takeover, privilege escalation, and the potential for lateral movement within network environments. The vulnerability's classification under the ATT&CK framework would align with techniques such as T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for exploitation for client execution, with the attack chain typically beginning with initial access through malicious media files and progressing to system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should include immediate deployment of Microsoft security patches and updates that address the memory corruption issues in the affected Windows Media Format Runtime components and Media Foundation implementations. Organizations should implement network segmentation and access controls to limit media file access from untrusted sources, while also deploying application whitelisting solutions that restrict execution of unauthorized media processing applications. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to suspicious media file access patterns and implement endpoint detection and response solutions capable of identifying anomalous memory access patterns that may indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure all affected systems have been properly updated, with particular attention to legacy systems running older versions of Windows Media Format Runtime that may not receive ongoing support. The remediation process should also include user education regarding the risks of opening untrusted media files and the importance of maintaining up-to-date security patches across all system components.