CVE-2009-2550 in Hamster Audio Player
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in Hamster Audio Player 0.3a allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long string in a (1) .m3u or (2) .hpl playlist file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/04/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-2550 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in Hamster Audio Player version 0.3a that exposes systems to remote code execution attacks. This vulnerability specifically affects the player's handling of playlist files, particularly .m3u and .hpl formats, which are commonly used for organizing and managing audio media collections. The flaw stems from insufficient input validation and bounds checking within the playlist parsing functionality, creating an exploitable condition where maliciously crafted playlist files can trigger memory corruption. The attack vector is particularly concerning as it operates entirely through remote delivery mechanisms, allowing attackers to exploit the vulnerability without requiring local system access or user interaction beyond opening the malicious playlist file.
The technical implementation of this buffer overflow occurs when the Hamster Audio Player processes playlist files containing excessively long strings in their data fields. During the parsing operation, the application fails to properly validate the length of input data before copying it into fixed-size stack buffers. This fundamental flaw in memory management allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations, potentially including return addresses and control flow information. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, which is a well-documented and highly dangerous class of memory corruption vulnerability that has been extensively studied in cybersecurity literature. The specific nature of the overflow in this case demonstrates poor defensive programming practices where input validation occurs too late in the processing pipeline, allowing malicious data to traverse multiple layers of application logic before causing memory corruption.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution to encompass potential system compromise and data integrity breaches. When successfully exploited, attackers can gain arbitrary code execution privileges within the context of the Hamster Audio Player process, which typically runs with the privileges of the user who opened the malicious playlist. This creates a pathway for attackers to escalate privileges, install persistent backdoors, or deploy additional malware components. The vulnerability affects a wide range of systems where Hamster Audio Player is installed, particularly in enterprise environments where media management applications are commonly used for organizing audio libraries. The exploitability of this vulnerability is further enhanced by the fact that playlist files can be distributed through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or network shares, making it a significant threat vector for both targeted attacks and mass exploitation campaigns.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-2550 should focus on immediate patching and application hardening measures to prevent exploitation. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to a patched version of Hamster Audio Player that implements proper input validation and bounds checking for playlist file processing. Organizations should also implement application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted playlist files, particularly those originating from external sources. Network-based defenses including intrusion detection systems and web application firewalls can help detect and block malicious playlist file transfers. From a defensive programming perspective, this vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing proper input sanitization, using safe string handling functions, and employing stack protection mechanisms such as stack canaries or address space layout randomization. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1059.007 technique for command and script interpreter execution, as exploitation typically involves executing malicious code through the compromised media player application. Additionally, organizations should conduct regular security assessments of media applications and implement principle of least privilege access controls to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.