CVE-2011-10024 in Core Player
Summary
by MITRE • 08/20/2025
MJM Core Player (likely now referred to as MJM Player) 2011 is vulnerable to a stack-based buffer overflow when parsing specially crafted .s3m music files. The vulnerability arises from improper bounds checking in the file parser, allowing an attacker to overwrite memory on the stack and execute arbitrary code. Exploitation is triggered when a user opens a malicious .s3m file, and the exploit bypasses DEP and ASLR protections using a ROP chain.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/20/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-10024 affects MJM Core Player version 2011, a multimedia application designed for playing various audio formats including the S3M module format. This particular flaw represents a classic stack-based buffer overflow condition that demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in media processing applications. The S3M format is a module file format used primarily for storing music compositions in the style of tracker music, and when parsed by the vulnerable player, it creates an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors to gain unauthorized system control.
The technical flaw manifests within the file parsing routine responsible for handling S3M music files, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to supply maliciously crafted input data that exceeds the allocated buffer space on the stack. This overflow condition occurs during the parsing of specific S3M file structures, particularly affecting fields that define module metadata and sample information. The vulnerability maps to CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which is classified as a fundamental weakness in software design where insufficient boundary checks allow data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw is particularly dangerous because it occurs in the context of user interaction, specifically when opening a file, making it susceptible to social engineering attacks and drive-by downloads.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it enables sophisticated exploitation techniques that can bypass modern security mechanisms. Attackers can construct ROP (Return-Oriented Programming) chains to circumvent DEP (Data Execution Prevention) and ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) protections that are standard defenses in contemporary operating systems. This approach demonstrates the evolution of exploitation techniques where attackers must overcome multiple layers of security by chaining together small code fragments already present in the system memory. The exploitation process requires careful crafting of the malicious S3M file to ensure that the stack overflow leads to a controlled execution path that ultimately results in arbitrary code execution with the privileges of the affected application.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through software updates from the vendor, as the most effective solution involves patching the vulnerable parsing routine with proper bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted media files, particularly those from unknown sources or when opened through potentially vulnerable applications. Network-based defenses can include content filtering systems that scan for known malicious patterns in media files, though this approach may be less effective against zero-day exploits. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual file access patterns and application behavior that might indicate exploitation attempts, with particular attention to processes attempting to execute code in memory regions that are not typically writable. The vulnerability also highlights the need for comprehensive security testing of media processing libraries and applications, as similar issues may exist in other applications that handle similar file formats through similar parsing mechanisms.