CVE-2010-0364 in VLC Media Player
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in VideoLAN VLC Media Player 0.8.6 allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via an ogg file with a crafted Advanced SubStation Alpha Subtitle (.ass) file, probably involving the Dialogue field.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-0364 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw in VideoLAN VLC Media Player version 0.8.6 that enables remote code execution through crafted media files. This vulnerability specifically targets the handling of Advanced SubStation Alpha subtitle files within OGG multimedia containers, making it particularly dangerous as it can be exploited through commonly used media formats. The flaw resides in the processing logic that manages subtitle data, where insufficient input validation allows attackers to overflow stack memory buffers when parsing malicious Dialogue fields within .ass subtitle files.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves the manipulation of the Dialogue field within Advanced SubStation Alpha subtitle files, which are commonly used for video subtitle rendering. When VLC processes these files, the application fails to properly validate the length of data within the Dialogue field, allowing an attacker to craft malicious input that exceeds the allocated buffer space on the stack. This buffer overflow occurs because the application uses unsafe string handling functions that do not perform adequate bounds checking, directly violating secure coding practices and creating exploitable conditions for arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple media playback manipulation as it provides attackers with a remote code execution vector that can be triggered through user-assisted means. An attacker could distribute malicious OGG files containing crafted .ass subtitles through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites, where unsuspecting users would inadvertently trigger the exploit upon playback. The vulnerability's classification under CWE-121 indicates a stack-based buffer overflow condition, while its exploitation pattern aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Execution, making it a significant threat in enterprise and consumer environments where VLC is commonly deployed.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected VLC Media Player versions, as the original vulnerability was addressed through proper bounds checking and input validation implementations. Organizations should implement network segmentation and content filtering to prevent the distribution of potentially malicious media files, while security teams should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis. The remediation process involves upgrading to VLC versions 0.8.6i or later, which contain proper input validation mechanisms that prevent the buffer overflow condition from occurring. Additionally, system administrators should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of untrusted media files and establish regular vulnerability assessment procedures to identify similar flaws in other multimedia applications that may be susceptible to similar buffer overflow conditions.