CVE-2010-2971 in libmikmod
Summary
by MITRE
loaders/load_it.c in libmikmod, possibly 3.1.12, does not properly account for the larger size of name##env relative to name##tick and name##node, which allows remote attackers to trigger a buffer over-read and possibly have unspecified other impact via a crafted Impulse Tracker file, a related issue to CVE-2010-2546. NOTE: this issue exists because of an incomplete fix for CVE-2009-3995.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 09/21/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-2971 affects the libmikmod library version 3.1.12 and specifically targets the loaders/load_it.c module responsible for processing Impulse Tracker files. This issue represents a buffer over-read condition that occurs when the library fails to properly account for the varying memory requirements of different data structures within the file format. The flaw manifests when processing the name##env, name##tick, and name##node elements where the size of name##env exceeds that of the other components, creating a scenario where insufficient memory allocation leads to memory access violations. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-121 as a stack-based buffer overflow, though the specific manifestation results in over-read conditions rather than traditional overflow behaviors. This issue is particularly concerning as it represents an incomplete remediation of a previously addressed vulnerability, specifically CVE-2009-3995, indicating a pattern of insufficiently comprehensive security fixes within the library's codebase.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from improper memory management within the file parsing logic of the Impulse Tracker loader component. When the library encounters a crafted malicious file, the parsing routine attempts to read data into buffers without adequate size validation for the name##env structure, which contains larger data elements than name##tick and name##node. This discrepancy in memory allocation creates a scenario where subsequent memory access operations can read beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially accessing adjacent memory regions containing sensitive data or executable code. The over-read condition can be exploited by remote attackers who craft specially formatted Impulse Tracker files designed to trigger this specific memory access pattern, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous in networked environments where file processing occurs automatically.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-2971 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable more sophisticated attacks including information disclosure and arbitrary code execution. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to extract sensitive information from memory locations adjacent to the corrupted buffer, potentially gaining access to credentials, system information, or other confidential data. The vulnerability's relationship to CVE-2010-2546 and the incomplete fix for CVE-2009-3995 demonstrates a concerning pattern of security regressions where attempted patches fail to address all possible attack vectors. This vulnerability affects systems that process Impulse Tracker files through libmikmod, including multimedia applications, music players, and any software that incorporates this library for audio file handling. The remote exploitation capability means that systems can be compromised simply by opening or processing a malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in environments where automatic file processing occurs.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-2971 require immediate attention from system administrators and software developers. The most effective approach involves upgrading to a patched version of libmikmod that properly addresses the buffer size calculation issue and implements comprehensive bounds checking for all data structures. Organizations should also implement strict file validation procedures and avoid automatic processing of untrusted audio files. Network-level mitigations include implementing file type filtering and content inspection systems that can detect and block potentially malicious Impulse Tracker files before they reach systems that utilize libmikmod. Additionally, system administrators should conduct comprehensive vulnerability assessments to identify all applications that may be affected by this issue, particularly those that rely on older versions of the library. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1059.007 for command and script injection, as exploitation may involve the execution of malicious code through the buffer over-read condition, while T1203 covers the use of file and information access mechanisms to extract sensitive data from memory.