CVE-2013-1980 in Extended Module Player
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in the get_dsmp function in loaders/masi_load.c in libxmp before 4.1.0 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a crafted MASI file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/01/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-1980 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the libxmp library version 4.0.9 and earlier, specifically within the get_dsmp function located in the loaders/masi_load.c source file. This library serves as a core component for audio module playback across numerous multimedia applications and operating systems, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous due to its potential for widespread exploitation. The flaw occurs during the processing of MASI files, which are used for storing audio module data and contain specific formatting structures that trigger the buffer overflow condition when improperly handled by the vulnerable code.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking within the get_dsmp function, which processes data structures in MASI files without adequate validation of input parameters. When a maliciously crafted MASI file is loaded, the function attempts to copy data into a fixed-size buffer without verifying that the incoming data length exceeds the buffer capacity. This classic buffer overflow condition creates an exploitable memory corruption scenario where attacker-controlled data can overwrite adjacent memory locations, potentially including return addresses, function pointers, or other critical program state information. The vulnerability is classified as a CWE-121 stack-based buffer overflow, representing a fundamental flaw in memory management practices that enables arbitrary code execution.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple code execution, as it provides remote attackers with complete system compromise capabilities when exploited successfully. The affected libxmp library is widely integrated into multimedia applications, media players, and audio processing software across multiple platforms, creating an extensive attack surface for potential exploitation. An attacker could craft a malicious MASI file and distribute it through various channels including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious websites, where unsuspecting users might inadvertently trigger the vulnerability when their systems attempt to play or process the file. This remote code execution capability allows attackers to install malware, modify system files, establish persistent backdoors, or escalate privileges within the affected systems. The vulnerability's exploitation aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation typically involves injecting and executing malicious code within the target process context.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-1980 primarily focus on immediate remediation through version upgrading to libxmp 4.1.0 or later, which includes proper bounds checking and input validation mechanisms that prevent the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should prioritize patching affected applications that utilize vulnerable libxmp versions, particularly those handling untrusted audio module files from external sources. Additional protective measures include implementing strict file validation procedures, deploying sandboxing techniques for multimedia file processing, and configuring network security controls to filter potentially malicious file types. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia libraries, highlighting how seemingly benign file format parsing can become a critical security risk when proper bounds checking is omitted. Organizations should also consider implementing runtime protections such as stack canaries, address space layout randomization, and data execution prevention mechanisms to reduce the effectiveness of potential exploitation attempts.