CVE-2011-0499 in VideoSpirit Pro
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in VideoSpirit Pro 1.6.8.1 and possibly earlier versions, and VideoSpirit Lite 1.4.0.1 and possibly other versions, allows user-assisted remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a VideoSpirit project (.visprj) file containing a valitem element with a long "name" attribute. NOTE: the provenance of this information is unknown; the details are obtained solely from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/11/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-0499 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting VideoSpirit Pro and Lite software versions, specifically targeting the handling of project files with malformed valitem elements. This issue stems from insufficient input validation within the software's parsing mechanism for .visprj project files, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability manifests when a maliciously crafted project file contains a valitem element with an excessively long "name" attribute, triggering the buffer overflow during file processing. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which categorizes buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows memory corruption. The attack vector requires user assistance, meaning an end user must open or process the malicious project file, making this a user-assisted remote code execution vulnerability rather than an automated exploit. The software's failure to properly validate the length of the name attribute before copying it into a fixed-size buffer creates a predictable memory corruption scenario that can be exploited by adversaries to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application. The impact extends beyond simple code execution as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise, data theft, or persistent backdoor installation.
The operational impact of this vulnerability is significant given that VideoSpirit software is used for video editing and project management, making it a legitimate application that users would regularly interact with. Attackers could craft malicious .visprj files that appear legitimate to unsuspecting users, potentially distributing them through social engineering campaigns, compromised websites, or infected email attachments. The buffer overflow occurs during normal application operation when processing project files, meaning the exploit does not require special conditions or privileges beyond those normally granted to a standard user. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as successful exploitation would likely involve executing malicious code through the compromised application. The attack surface is broad since any user who opens or processes a malicious project file could be affected, regardless of their technical expertise. The vulnerability's presence in both Pro and Lite editions suggests the issue is fundamental to the software's file parsing architecture, making it challenging to remediate without complete software updates. Security researchers should note that this vulnerability demonstrates how seemingly benign file format handling can create critical security risks, particularly when dealing with user-controllable input data.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-0499 should focus on immediate software updates from the vendor, as the vulnerability is a known issue affecting specific versions of VideoSpirit software. Organizations should implement strict file validation policies, particularly for project files from untrusted sources, and consider deploying application whitelisting solutions to prevent execution of vulnerable software versions. Network-level protections such as email filtering and web content filtering can help prevent users from accessing malicious project files through common attack vectors. Security teams should monitor for indicators of compromise related to this vulnerability, including unusual process execution patterns or attempts to execute code in the context of VideoSpirit processes. The vulnerability's classification as a buffer overflow makes it susceptible to exploitation techniques such as stack smashing or heap corruption, which can be detected through memory protection mechanisms like stack canaries or address space layout randomization. Users should be educated about the risks of opening project files from unknown sources and the importance of keeping software updated. System administrators should prioritize patching affected systems and consider implementing additional security controls such as sandboxing for file processing operations. The vulnerability's nature as a user-assisted remote code execution means that user awareness training becomes particularly important, as social engineering remains the primary attack method for exploiting such flaws. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning to identify systems running vulnerable versions of VideoSpirit software and ensure proper patch management protocols are in place to prevent similar issues in the future.