CVE-2009-4863 in UltraPlayer Media Player
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in UltraPlayer Media Player 2.112 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a long string in a .usk file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/08/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2009-4863 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in UltraPlayer Media Player version 2.112 that exposes remote code execution capabilities to attackers. This vulnerability specifically manifests when the media player processes a maliciously crafted .usk file, which is a playlist format commonly used by the application. The flaw stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking within the player's handling of playlist data structures, creating a scenario where an attacker can manipulate the application's memory layout through carefully constructed input sequences.
The technical nature of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses and control data. When UltraPlayer encounters a .usk file containing an excessively long string, the application fails to properly validate the input length before copying it into a fixed-size stack buffer. This oversight creates a predictable memory corruption scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite the stack frame, potentially allowing execution of arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution to encompass full system compromise when exploited successfully. Attackers can leverage this flaw to install malware, modify system files, or establish persistent backdoors on vulnerable systems. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers do not require local access to the target system, making this vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments where media players are frequently used to process content from untrusted sources. The .usk file format's common usage in media playback scenarios increases the attack surface significantly, as users may unknowingly execute malicious content from email attachments, web downloads, or peer-to-peer networks.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2009-4863 should focus on immediate patching of the affected UltraPlayer version, as no reliable workarounds exist for this particular vulnerability. Organizations should implement network segmentation to limit exposure of media player applications to untrusted networks and establish strict content filtering policies for playlist files. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file processing patterns and network connections initiated by media player applications. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and bounds checking in software development, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of known vulnerable media player versions and establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify similar flaws in other multimedia applications.