CVE-2011-2912 in libmodplug
Summary
by MITRE
Stack-based buffer overflow in the CSoundFile::ReadS3M function in src/load_s3m.cpp in libmodplug before 0.8.8.4 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted S3M file with an invalid offset.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-2912 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow within the libmodplug library version 0.8.8.3 and earlier. This flaw exists specifically in the CSoundFile::ReadS3M function located in the src/load_s3m.cpp source file, which is responsible for parsing S3M (Scream Tracker 3) module files. The issue arises when processing malformed S3M files that contain invalid offset values, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent stack memory regions. The vulnerability falls under CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, a well-documented weakness that occurs when a program writes more data to a stack buffer than it can hold, potentially corrupting adjacent memory locations including return addresses and function parameters.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially enabling remote code execution. When a malicious S3M file is processed by software utilizing the vulnerable libmodplug library, the buffer overflow can corrupt the stack memory layout and potentially overwrite the return address of the calling function. This allows attackers to redirect program execution flow to arbitrary code locations within the memory space, particularly concerning in applications that handle user-supplied media files such as music players, audio editors, and game engines that support S3M format playback. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in environments where applications automatically load and parse media files from untrusted sources without proper validation or sandboxing measures.
The exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious S3M file containing an invalid offset value that triggers the buffer overflow condition during the parsing process. This attack vector aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the use of malicious files to gain code execution, and T1059, which encompasses the execution of commands through various interfaces. The vulnerability affects any application that incorporates libmodplug versions prior to 0.8.8.4 and processes S3M files, including but not limited to music players, audio libraries, game engines, and multimedia applications that support module file formats. The risk is amplified in web applications or services that allow users to upload or share audio files, as these systems become potential attack vectors for remote exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-2912 primarily involve updating to libmodplug version 0.8.8.4 or later, which contains the necessary patches to address the buffer overflow condition. Security practitioners should also implement input validation and sanitization measures when processing S3M files, including bounds checking on offset values and implementing proper error handling for malformed data. Additional protective measures include deploying sandboxing techniques for media file processing, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure, and conducting regular security assessments of applications that utilize vulnerable libraries. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper memory management practices and input validation in preventing exploitation of buffer overflow conditions, particularly in multimedia processing libraries that handle complex file format parsing operations.