CVE-2010-4372 in WinAmp
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the in_nsv plugin in Winamp before 5.6 allows remote attackers to have an unspecified impact via vectors related to improper allocation of memory for NSV metadata, a different vulnerability than CVE-2010-2586.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/06/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4372 represents a critical integer overflow condition within the in_nsv plugin of Winamp media player versions prior to 5.6. This flaw resides in the handling of NSV (Nullsoft Streaming Video) metadata processing where the software fails to properly validate integer values during memory allocation operations. The issue manifests when the plugin encounters specially crafted NSV files that contain malformed metadata structures, leading to improper calculation of memory requirements for buffer allocation. This particular vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2010-2586, indicating a separate code path that requires independent analysis and remediation efforts.
The technical exploitation of this integer overflow occurs during the parsing of NSV file headers where the plugin calculates memory allocation sizes based on metadata fields that can be manipulated by remote attackers. When integer overflow conditions are triggered, the calculation produces a smaller value than the actual memory needed for proper buffer allocation, resulting in insufficient memory being allocated for the metadata structures. This insufficient allocation creates a condition where subsequent memory operations can overwrite adjacent memory regions, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or application crashes. The vulnerability operates under the CWE-190 category of integer overflow, specifically involving signed integer overflow that can cause memory corruption in the affected software components.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to users who may unknowingly download or receive NSV files from untrusted sources, as the attack can be executed remotely without requiring user interaction beyond opening the malicious file. The impact extends beyond simple application instability to potentially enable remote code execution, making it a severe threat vector for attackers seeking to compromise systems running vulnerable versions of Winamp. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can craft malicious NSV files that, when processed by the in_nsv plugin, trigger the integer overflow condition and potentially gain control over the affected system. This threat landscape aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services and applications through malformed input processing.
The mitigation strategies for this vulnerability primarily involve updating to Winamp version 5.6 or later, which contains the patched in_nsv plugin that properly validates integer values before memory allocation operations. Additionally, users should implement defensive measures such as disabling the NSV plugin when not actively using NSV files, implementing network-based filtering to block NSV file types, and maintaining updated antivirus signatures that can detect malicious NSV files. System administrators should consider deploying application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of untrusted media files and ensure that all multimedia applications undergo regular security updates. The fix implemented by Nullsoft addresses the root cause by introducing proper integer overflow checks and bounds validation before any memory allocation occurs, preventing the scenario where calculated memory requirements could exceed the actual available memory space. Organizations should also consider implementing network segmentation and monitoring to detect potential exploitation attempts involving media file processing vulnerabilities.