CVE-2010-1441 in VLC Media Player
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple heap-based buffer overflows in VideoLAN VLC media player before 1.0.6 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted byte stream to the (1) A/52, (2) DTS, or (3) MPEG Audio decoder.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/18/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-1441 represents a critical security flaw in VideoLAN VLC media player versions prior to 1.0.6, specifically targeting three audio decoding components that process A/52, DTS, and MPEG Audio formats. This heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability arises from insufficient input validation and memory management within the media player's audio decoding subsystem, creating a significant attack surface for remote threat actors. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries, potentially leading to memory corruption and system instability.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves maliciously crafted byte streams that exploit memory allocation patterns within the audio decoders. When VLC processes these malformed audio streams, the decoders fail to properly validate input lengths against allocated buffer sizes, resulting in memory overwrite conditions. The heap corruption occurs during the parsing and decoding phases of audio data processing, where the application attempts to write data beyond the intended buffer boundaries. This vulnerability specifically affects the A/52 (AC-3), DTS (Digital Theater System), and MPEG Audio decoding modules, indicating a systemic weakness in the media player's input sanitization mechanisms across multiple audio format parsers.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a dual threat to affected systems, enabling both denial of service conditions and potential arbitrary code execution. The denial of service aspect manifests as application crashes and system instability when processing malicious audio streams, while the arbitrary code execution capability represents a more severe risk that could allow attackers to gain control over affected systems. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability by delivering crafted media files or streaming content that triggers the vulnerable decoders, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted media content. The impact extends beyond individual users to enterprise networks where VLC is commonly deployed for multimedia applications, potentially serving as a vector for broader system compromise.
The attack surface for this vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, specifically targeting software exploitation through memory corruption attacks that leverage buffer overflow conditions. Organizations utilizing VLC media player should prioritize immediate patching to address this vulnerability, as the potential for remote code execution makes it a high-priority security concern. The remediation strategy involves updating to VLC version 1.0.6 or later, which incorporates proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms within the affected audio decoders. Additionally, network administrators should consider implementing content filtering measures to prevent the delivery of potentially malicious media streams, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted content. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of regular software updates and proper input validation in multimedia applications, as these systems often process untrusted data from various sources and require robust security controls to prevent exploitation.