CVE-2012-10051 in ProShow Producer
Summary
by MITRE • 08/08/2025
Photodex ProShow Producer version 5.0.3256 contains a stack-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the handling of plugin load list files. When a specially crafted load file is placed in the installation directory, the application fails to properly validate its contents, leading to a buffer overflow when the file is parsed during startup. Exploitation requires local access to place the file and user interaction to launch the application.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/09/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-10051 represents a critical stack-based buffer overflow flaw within Photodex ProShow Producer version 5.0.3256 that stems from inadequate input validation during plugin load list file processing. This issue resides in the application's initialization routine where it attempts to parse load files located within the installation directory, creating an exploitable condition that can be leveraged by malicious actors with local system access. The vulnerability manifests when the application encounters a specially crafted load file that exceeds the allocated buffer space during parsing operations, leading to potential memory corruption and arbitrary code execution.
The technical implementation of this flaw follows a classic stack-based buffer overflow pattern where insufficient bounds checking occurs during file content processing. When ProShow Producer starts and encounters the malicious load file, the application's parsing logic fails to validate the length or content of the data being read, allowing an attacker to overwrite adjacent stack memory locations. This vulnerability specifically affects the application's plugin loading mechanism and requires that the attacker have local file system write permissions to place the malicious file within the installation directory. The exploitation process demands both local access for file placement and user interaction to trigger the vulnerable code path through application startup.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to systems where local user access is possible, as it enables privilege escalation and arbitrary code execution within the context of the running application. The attack vector requires local system compromise to place the malicious file, but once established, the vulnerability can be exploited to execute code with the privileges of the user running ProShow Producer. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning in enterprise environments where users may have local access to systems running vulnerable software, potentially allowing attackers to establish persistent access or escalate privileges within the compromised system.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121 Stack-based Buffer Overflow, which specifically addresses buffer overflows occurring in stack memory regions where insufficient bounds checking allows data to overflow into adjacent memory locations. This classification indicates that the flaw exists in the application's memory management practices during file parsing operations, where the software does not properly enforce buffer size limitations. The attack pattern associated with this vulnerability follows the techniques described in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under T1059 Command and Scripting Interpreter, as exploitation would involve executing malicious code through the application's normal operation path. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of T1068 Exploitation for Privilege Escalation when successful exploitation occurs, as the code execution would likely occur within the context of the user's privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate remediation through software updates from the vendor, as the most effective solution involves patching the application to implement proper bounds checking and input validation. Organizations should implement strict access controls to prevent unauthorized local file system modifications in the ProShow Producer installation directories, particularly in environments where users may have elevated privileges. System administrators should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of unauthorized binaries and monitor for suspicious file creation patterns in application directories. Regular security assessments should include verification of installed software versions to ensure all known vulnerabilities have been addressed through appropriate patches and updates.