CVE-2011-2594 in KMPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Heap-based buffer overflow in KMPlayer 3.0.0.1441, and possibly other versions, allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a playlist (.KPL) file with a long Title field.
If you want to get the best quality for vulnerability data then you always have to consider VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/12/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2594 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow flaw discovered in KMPlayer version 3.0.0.1441 and potentially other iterations of this media player software. This vulnerability resides within the playlist file handling mechanism, specifically when processing .KPL files that contain excessively long Title field entries. The flaw manifests due to insufficient input validation and bounds checking within the application's memory management routines, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by remote attackers to gain unauthorized code execution privileges.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from the application's failure to properly validate the length of data entered into the Title field of playlist files. When KMPlayer processes a maliciously crafted .KPL file containing an oversized Title field, the software attempts to allocate memory on the heap to accommodate this data without adequate bounds checking. This memory allocation behavior creates a condition where the application writes beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in a heap corruption scenario that can be exploited to overwrite critical memory locations. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based and heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and represents a classic example of improper input validation that enables arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple remote code execution capabilities, as it provides attackers with a means to compromise systems running affected KMPlayer versions without requiring local access or user interaction beyond opening the malicious playlist file. Attackers can craft specially designed .KPL files that contain carefully constructed payloads within the Title field, which when processed by the vulnerable media player, trigger the buffer overflow condition. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation could enable attackers to execute malicious commands on compromised systems. The remote nature of this attack vector makes it particularly dangerous as it requires no physical presence or user deception beyond the simple act of opening a playlist file.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2594 should prioritize immediate software updates from the vendor to address the buffer overflow condition in KMPlayer's playlist handling routines. System administrators should implement network-based restrictions to prevent the automatic execution of playlist files from untrusted sources, while also considering the deployment of application whitelisting solutions that can prevent unauthorized media player execution. Additionally, network monitoring should be enhanced to detect suspicious playlist file transfers and to implement sandboxing techniques for any playlist file processing. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in media processing applications, and serves as a reminder of the critical need for regular security updates and proper software lifecycle management to prevent exploitation of similar buffer overflow conditions in other media player implementations.