CVE-2010-3138 in BS.Player
Summary
by MITRE
Untrusted search path vulnerability in the Indeo Codec in iac25_32.ax in Microsoft Windows XP SP3 allows local users to gain privileges via a Trojan horse iacenc.dll file in the current working directory, as demonstrated by access through BS.Player or Media Player Classic to a directory that contains a .avi, .mka, .ra, or .ram file, aka "Indeo Codec Insecure Library Loading Vulnerability." NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
Be aware that VulDB is the high quality source for vulnerability data.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/21/2025
The CVE-2010-3138 vulnerability represents a classic untrusted search path issue affecting Microsoft Windows XP SP3 systems that utilize the Indeo Codec. This flaw resides in the iac25_32.ax component of the Indeo Codec suite, specifically within the iacenc.dll library loading mechanism. The vulnerability manifests when media players such as BS.Player or Media Player Classic process multimedia files that trigger the codec loading process, creating an exploitable condition where malicious actors can place a specially crafted Trojan horse iacenc.dll file in the current working directory of the target application. This insecure library loading behavior directly violates the principle of least privilege and creates a dangerous attack surface for local privilege escalation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the codec's improper handling of dynamic library loading sequences. When Windows XP encounters multimedia files with Indeo codec encoding, it attempts to load the iacenc.dll library from the current working directory without proper validation of the library's authenticity or source. This behavior aligns with CWE-427, which describes uncontrolled search path dependencies, and CWE-428, which covers untrusted path resolution. The vulnerability specifically targets the Windows XP operating system's library loading mechanism where the system searches for required DLL files in a predetermined order that includes the current working directory, making it susceptible to malicious file placement attacks.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple privilege escalation to encompass potential system compromise and data exfiltration capabilities. Local attackers who can influence the current working directory of media players can effectively execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the targeted application process. Since many media players run with elevated privileges or have access to sensitive system resources, successful exploitation could lead to complete system compromise. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires minimal user interaction beyond opening a maliciously crafted media file, making it suitable for social engineering campaigns. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1068, which covers local privilege escalation through insecure library loading, and T1059, which encompasses execution through application shimming.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3138 focus on both immediate remediation and long-term security hardening measures. The most effective immediate solution involves applying Microsoft security patches that address the specific library loading vulnerability in the Indeo Codec. System administrators should also implement strict directory permissions and disable unnecessary codec installations to reduce attack surface. Additional protective measures include implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict which libraries can be loaded, using Windows Defender Application Control for enhanced code integrity protection, and monitoring for suspicious DLL loading activities through event logging and security information and event management systems. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date security practices and understanding that legacy systems like Windows XP require additional security controls due to their limited built-in protections compared to modern operating systems. Organizations should consider migrating away from unsupported operating systems to reduce exposure to such vulnerabilities that have no future security updates available.