CVE-2011-1684 in VLC Media Player
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in the MP4_ReadBox_skcr function in libmp4.c in the MP4 demultiplexer in VideoLAN VLC media player 1.x before 1.1.9 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted MP4 file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/13/2025
The vulnerability CVE-2011-1684 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow affecting the MP4 demultiplexer component within VideoLAN VLC media player versions 1.x prior to 1.1.9. This flaw resides in the MP4_ReadBox_skcr function located in the libmp4.c source file, which processes MP4 container format files during media demultiplexing operations. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and bounds checking when parsing specific MP4 boxes, particularly those containing cryptographic information denoted by the skcr box identifier. Attackers can exploit this weakness by crafting malicious MP4 files that trigger the buffer overflow during normal media playback operations, potentially leading to system instability or unauthorized code execution.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability demonstrates a classic heap corruption scenario where the MP4_ReadBox_skcr function fails to properly validate the size parameter of the skcr box structure before allocating memory for data processing. When the function encounters a malformed MP4 file with oversized or malformed skcr box data, it attempts to allocate memory based on incorrect size values, resulting in memory corruption that overflows the allocated heap buffer. This heap-based buffer overflow creates an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to manipulate memory contents, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or application crash. The vulnerability specifically aligns with CWE-121, which catalogs heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a common class of memory safety issues in multimedia processing libraries.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-1684 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to encompass potential remote code execution capabilities that make it particularly dangerous for widespread exploitation. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability can cause VLC media player to crash or terminate unexpectedly, disrupting media playback for legitimate users. However, the more serious implications arise from the potential for attackers to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the VLC process, which could lead to complete system compromise. The attack vector requires only a malicious MP4 file, making it easily deliverable through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites. This vulnerability affects not only individual users but also organizations that rely on VLC for media playback, creating significant security risks in enterprise environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1684 focus primarily on immediate software updates and system hardening measures to protect against exploitation attempts. The most effective remediation involves upgrading to VLC media player version 1.1.9 or later, which includes patches specifically addressing the buffer overflow condition in the MP4 demultiplexer. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems running VLC are updated promptly, particularly those that process untrusted media content. Additional protective measures include network-based filtering to block suspicious MP4 file transfers, implementing sandboxing techniques for media processing applications, and deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify potential exploitation attempts. From an ATT&CK framework perspective, this vulnerability maps to techniques involving execution through compromised applications and privilege escalation through memory corruption, emphasizing the need for layered defensive approaches including application whitelisting and process isolation to minimize potential impact from successful exploitation attempts.