CVE-2009-3170 in AIMP2 Audio Converter
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in AIMP2 Audio Converter 2.53 (build 330) and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a long File1 argument in a (1) .pls or (2) .m3u playlist file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/09/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-3170 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within AIMP2 Audio Converter version 2.53 and earlier releases. This security weakness specifically manifests when the application processes playlist files containing maliciously crafted input data. The vulnerability affects two common playlist formats: .pls and .m3u files, which are widely used for organizing and playing multimedia content. The flaw occurs during the parsing of the File1 argument within these playlist structures, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to compromise system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation within the AIMP2 Audio Converter's playlist processing module. When the application encounters a playlist file with an excessively long File1 argument, the software fails to properly bounds-check the input data before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This fundamental programming error creates a condition where user-supplied data can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting the program's execution flow. The buffer overflow occurs in the context of playlist file parsing, making it accessible through standard file manipulation techniques without requiring special privileges or complex exploitation methods.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to system availability and integrity. Remote attackers can leverage this flaw to cause immediate application crashes, resulting in denial of service conditions that disrupt legitimate user activities. More critically, the vulnerability may allow for arbitrary code execution, enabling attackers to gain unauthorized control over affected systems. The impact extends beyond simple service disruption as successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or deployment of additional malicious payloads. The vulnerability affects users who frequently utilize playlist files, making it particularly dangerous in environments where multimedia content is regularly shared and played.
The security implications of CVE-2009-3170 align with CWE-121, which categorizes stack-based buffer overflow conditions as a fundamental weakness in software design. This classification emphasizes the need for proper input validation and memory management practices in application development. The vulnerability also maps to several ATT&CK techniques including T1059 for command and script interpreter usage and T1499 for endpoint denial of service, as the flaw enables both crash generation and potential code execution. Organizations should consider implementing network segmentation to limit exposure and ensure that all multimedia applications are regularly updated with security patches. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of secure coding practices and the necessity of thorough input validation in preventing memory corruption exploits that can lead to complete system compromise.