CVE-2009-4313 in Windows
Summary
by MITRE
ir32_32.dll 3.24.15.3 in the Indeo32 codec in Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4, XP SP2 and SP3, and Server 2003 SP2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (heap corruption) or execute arbitrary code via malformed data in a stream in a media file, as demonstrated by an AVI file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/28/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2009-4313 represents a critical heap corruption flaw within the Indeo32 codec library version 3.24.15.3 that affects multiple Microsoft Windows operating systems including Windows 2000 SP4, Windows XP SP2 and SP3, and Windows Server 2003 SP2. This vulnerability resides in the ir32_32.dll component which is part of the Indeo Video 3.2 codec implementation used for processing multimedia content. The flaw manifests when the affected codec processes malformed data within media streams, specifically demonstrated through manipulation of AVI file formats that contain specially crafted or corrupted data structures.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and memory management within the Indeo32 codec implementation. When the codec encounters malformed data during stream processing, it fails to properly validate buffer boundaries and memory allocation parameters, leading to heap corruption conditions that can be exploited to either crash the targeted system or potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the compromised process. This represents a classic buffer overflow vulnerability pattern where improper bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially corrupting critical program structures or injecting malicious instructions.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant as it enables remote code execution attacks against systems running affected Windows versions, making it particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where multimedia content may be processed automatically. Attackers can craft malicious AVI files that, when opened or processed by vulnerable systems, trigger the heap corruption leading to system instability or complete compromise. The vulnerability's exploitation potential spans across multiple Windows platforms, amplifying its threat surface and making it an attractive target for attackers seeking to compromise legacy systems that may not receive regular updates.
This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with techniques described in the ATT&CK framework under T1059 for command and scripting interpreter and T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution. The attack vector typically involves social engineering or automated delivery of malicious media files, leveraging the automatic media processing capabilities of Windows systems to execute code without user interaction. Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including disabling unnecessary media processing capabilities, applying security patches, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of proper input validation and memory management practices in multimedia codec implementations and highlights the ongoing risks associated with legacy software components that may not receive adequate security updates.