CVE-2010-3907 in VLC Media Player
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple integer overflows in real.c in the Real demuxer plugin in VideoLAN VLC Media Player before 1.1.6 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a zero i_subpackets value in a Real Media file, leading to a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-3907 represents a critical security flaw in the Real demuxer plugin of VideoLAN VLC Media Player versions prior to 1.1.6. This issue stems from improper input validation within the real.c file where the application fails to adequately check integer values during media file parsing. The vulnerability specifically targets the handling of Real Media files and manifests when the i_subpackets field contains a zero value, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited by remote attackers to compromise system integrity.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves integer overflow conditions that occur when processing Real Media container files. When the Real demuxer encounters a file with a zero i_subpackets value, the application performs calculations that result in integer overflows, ultimately leading to heap-based buffer overflow conditions. This flaw operates at the intersection of multiple security concerns including buffer overflow vulnerabilities and integer arithmetic errors that are commonly classified under CWE-190 for integer overflow and CWE-121 for heap-based buffer overflow. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, where malicious media files can trigger arbitrary code execution through media player applications.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution capabilities. When exploited, the heap-based buffer overflow can cause application crashes that may be leveraged to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user. This represents a significant threat vector since VLC Media Player is widely used across multiple platforms and operating systems, making the attack surface particularly broad. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can deliver malicious Real Media files through various vectors including web downloads, email attachments, or malicious websites without requiring local system access.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2010-3907 focus primarily on immediate software updates to VLC Media Player version 1.1.6 or later, which contain patches addressing the integer overflow conditions in the Real demuxer plugin. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management processes to ensure all instances of VLC Media Player are updated promptly. Additional protective measures include network-based filtering of Real Media file types where possible, implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted media files, and deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious file handling patterns. Organizations should also consider segmenting network traffic to limit exposure and ensure proper access controls are in place for media playback applications. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the importance of input validation and proper integer handling in multimedia processing libraries, particularly when dealing with user-supplied content that may contain maliciously crafted data structures.