CVE-2011-5171 in Power2Go
Summary
by MITRE
Multiple stack-based buffer overflows in CyberLink Power2Go 7 (build 196) and 8 (build 1031) allow remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via the (1) src and (2) name parameters in a p2g project file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/03/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-5171 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw affecting CyberLink Power2Go versions 7 and 8. This vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the software's handling of project files, specifically targeting the src and name parameters within p2g project files. The flaw exists in the software's parsing mechanism where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to craft malicious project files that can overflow stack memory buffers during processing. Such buffer overflows occur when the application writes more data to a fixed-length buffer than it can accommodate, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited to execute arbitrary code. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it allows remote code execution, meaning attackers can exploit this flaw without requiring local access to the target system, making it a significant threat vector for network-based attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient boundary checking allows data to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The flaw demonstrates characteristics of CWE-787, which specifically addresses out-of-bounds write operations that can corrupt adjacent memory regions. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability through specially crafted p2g project files that contain overly long strings in the src and name parameters, causing the application to overwrite stack memory with malicious payload data. The exploitation process typically involves creating a malformed project file with buffer overflow payloads that can overwrite return addresses and function pointers on the stack, enabling attackers to redirect execution flow to their malicious code. This type of vulnerability falls under the ATT&CK technique T1059.007, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage, as the successful exploitation can lead to arbitrary code execution capabilities.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-5171 extends beyond simple code execution, as it represents a severe privilege escalation vector within the context of multimedia software applications. When exploited successfully, this vulnerability allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected application, potentially leading to full system compromise. The vulnerability affects users who may unknowingly open malicious project files, making it particularly dangerous in environments where users frequently exchange multimedia project files or where the software is used in automated workflows. The remote exploitation capability means that attackers can deliver malicious project files through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or shared network locations. Organizations using CyberLink Power2Go in enterprise environments face significant risk as this vulnerability could be leveraged for persistent threats, lateral movement, or data exfiltration. The vulnerability also impacts the software's integrity and trust model, as it allows attackers to bypass normal execution controls and potentially establish backdoors or install additional malware. Security practitioners must consider this vulnerability when assessing the attack surface of multimedia applications and implementing defense-in-depth strategies.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2011-5171 should include immediate software updates and patches from CyberLink to address the buffer overflow conditions in the project file parsing functionality. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies that prevent execution of project files from untrusted sources or implement sandboxing mechanisms that isolate the application from critical system resources. Network-level protections such as intrusion detection systems can help identify attempts to exploit this vulnerability through malformed project file deliveries. The implementation of application whitelisting policies can prevent execution of unauthorized versions of Power2Go that may not contain the necessary security patches. Users should be educated about the risks of opening project files from unknown sources and the importance of verifying file integrity before processing. Additionally, memory protection mechanisms such as stack canaries and address space layout randomization should be enabled where available to make exploitation more difficult. Organizations should also consider implementing automated vulnerability scanning processes that can detect the presence of vulnerable software versions within their environments, ensuring that all instances of Power2Go are updated to patched versions that address the buffer overflow conditions. Regular security assessments of multimedia applications should be conducted to identify similar vulnerabilities in other software components that may present similar attack vectors.