CVE-2011-1761 in libmodplug
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in the (1) abc_new_macro and (2) abc_new_umacro functions in src/load_abc.cpp in libmodplug before 0.8.8.3 allow remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted ABC file. NOTE: some of these details are obtained from third party information.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/14/2024
The vulnerability described in CVE-2011-1761 represents a critical security flaw affecting the libmodplug library version 0.8.8.2 and earlier. This issue stems from stack-based buffer overflows located within two specific functions named abc_new_macro and abc_new_umacro in the src/load_abc.cpp source file. The affected library serves as a module format loader for audio files, particularly supporting the ABC format which is commonly used for musical notation. These buffer overflows occur when processing specially crafted ABC files that are designed to exploit the memory management weaknesses in the library's parsing routines.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it firmly within the category of stack-based buffer overflow flaws as classified by CWE-121, which specifically addresses buffer overflows that occur in stack memory regions. The flaw manifests when the library attempts to parse malformed ABC files that contain oversized data structures or malformed parameters within the macro definitions. The abc_new_macro and abc_new_umacro functions fail to properly validate input lengths before copying data into fixed-size stack buffers, creating opportunities for attackers to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. This memory corruption can lead to unpredictable program behavior, including crashes, and potentially allows for arbitrary code execution due to the overwrite of return addresses or other critical execution pointers on the stack.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable remote code execution, making it a significant concern for systems that process user-uploaded or third-party audio files. Attackers can craft malicious ABC files that, when loaded by applications using the vulnerable libmodplug library, will trigger the buffer overflows and cause system instability or complete compromise. The vulnerability affects a wide range of applications including media players, audio processing software, and any system that relies on libmodplug for module file format support. The remote exploitation aspect means that attackers do not need local access to the system, as the vulnerability can be triggered through network-based file delivery mechanisms, making it particularly dangerous in web environments or shared computing scenarios.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-1761 primarily focus on immediate library updates to version 0.8.8.3 or later, which contain patches addressing the buffer overflow conditions in both affected functions. System administrators should prioritize patching affected applications that utilize libmodplug, particularly those handling user-provided audio content. Additionally, implementing input validation measures at the application level can provide defense-in-depth protection, though this approach is less reliable than updating the underlying library. Security monitoring should include detection of malformed ABC file attempts, and network segmentation can help limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper bounds checking and input validation in memory management operations, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter usage that may be leveraged in exploitation chains. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for audio file processing to contain potential exploitation attempts and reduce the attack surface for similar vulnerabilities in other library components.