CVE-2009-4758 in Mpegable Player
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in dicas Mpegable Player 2.12 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a long string in a .YUV file.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4758 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within the dicas Mpegable Player version 2.12 software application. This security weakness resides in the media player's handling of .YUV file formats, which are commonly used for storing raw video data. The vulnerability manifests when the application processes malformed input data contained within these video files, specifically when a particularly long string is embedded within the .YUV file structure. The flaw stems from inadequate bounds checking mechanisms during the parsing of video frame data, allowing maliciously crafted input to overwrite adjacent memory locations on the program's stack. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, which is classified as a fundamental memory safety issue that has been a persistent concern in software development practices. The vulnerability is particularly concerning as it enables remote exploitation, meaning attackers can trigger the flaw without requiring local access to the target system, making it a significant threat vector for widespread impact.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of .YUV file structures to contain oversized data sequences that exceed the allocated buffer space on the stack. When the dicas Mpegable Player attempts to parse this malformed file, the excessive string data causes a buffer overflow condition that can corrupt the program's execution flow. The overflow can potentially overwrite return addresses, function pointers, or other critical control data stored in the stack memory region. This memory corruption can result in immediate application crashes, leading to denial of service conditions where legitimate users cannot access the media player functionality. However, the more severe implications arise when the overflow allows attackers to manipulate the program's execution flow to inject and execute arbitrary code within the context of the running application. The attacker could leverage this vulnerability to gain unauthorized control over the system, as the compromised media player process typically runs with the privileges of the user who initiated the application, potentially enabling privilege escalation depending on the system configuration.
The operational impact of CVE-2009-4758 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential system compromise and unauthorized access capabilities. Attackers could craft malicious .YUV files that, when opened by unsuspecting users, would trigger the buffer overflow condition and execute malicious payloads. This vulnerability affects the core security posture of systems running the affected media player software, particularly in environments where users might encounter untrusted media content through email attachments, web downloads, or shared network resources. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that threat actors could distribute malicious .YUV files through various channels without requiring physical access to target systems. From a threat modeling perspective, this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which involves gaining access to systems through malicious files, and represents a classic example of how multimedia applications can serve as attack vectors. The impact is particularly severe in enterprise environments where media player software is widely deployed, as a single compromised system could serve as a foothold for broader network infiltration.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4758 should prioritize immediate software updates and patches from the vendor, as the dicas Mpegable Player 2.12 is an older version that likely received no further security updates. Organizations should implement network-based controls to block or scan .YUV file attachments and downloads, particularly in environments where users might encounter untrusted content. Application whitelisting solutions can help prevent execution of untrusted media player software by restricting which applications are allowed to run on systems. Users should be educated about the risks of opening media files from untrusted sources and the importance of keeping software updated. System administrators should consider implementing sandboxing techniques to isolate media player processes from critical system resources, reducing the potential impact of successful exploitation. Additionally, monitoring network traffic for suspicious .YUV file transfers and implementing intrusion detection systems can help identify potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in software development, as well as the necessity of maintaining current security patches for all installed software components. Organizations should conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify and remediate similar issues in their software inventory, particularly in legacy applications that may no longer receive vendor support.