CVE-2013-7280 in Hanso Player
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in HansoTools Hanso Player 2.1.0, 2.5.0, and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a long string in a .m3u file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/22/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7280 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within HansoTools Hanso Player versions 2.1.0 through 2.5.0. This issue stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms when processing playlist files, specifically .m3u format files that are commonly used to store audio and video media collections. The flaw manifests when the media player encounters a maliciously crafted .m3u file containing an excessively long string that exceeds the allocated buffer space within the application's memory management structure. This particular vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory locations with arbitrary data.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of playlist files that the Hanso Player processes during media playback initialization. When the player attempts to parse a .m3u file containing a malformed string that surpasses the predetermined buffer limits, the application fails to properly handle the overflow condition. This results in memory corruption that ultimately leads to application termination and system crash. The remote attack vector is particularly concerning as it allows adversaries to trigger the vulnerability without requiring local system access or user interaction beyond the simple act of opening a malicious playlist file. The attack follows the typical pattern described in the ATT&CK framework under the T1203 technique for legitimate system exploitation, where attackers leverage software vulnerabilities to achieve system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a significant risk to users who frequently access media content through the Hanso Player application, particularly in environments where playlist files might be obtained from untrusted sources. The denial of service impact extends beyond simple application crashes, potentially disrupting media playback services and affecting user productivity in professional settings. The vulnerability affects a wide range of users since .m3u files are commonly shared across various platforms and are often automatically processed by media players without user intervention. Organizations that rely on media playback systems for presentations, entertainment services, or content delivery may experience service interruptions that could impact business operations and user satisfaction. The vulnerability's remote nature means that attackers can exploit it through various delivery mechanisms including email attachments, web downloads, or malicious file sharing platforms.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should prioritize immediate patch deployment from the software vendor, as the affected versions of Hanso Player are no longer supported and do not receive security updates. System administrators should implement strict file validation policies that prevent automatic processing of .m3u files from untrusted sources, particularly in enterprise environments. Network-level controls such as content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can help prevent the execution of potentially malicious playlist files. Additionally, users should be educated about the risks of opening playlist files from unknown sources and should be encouraged to verify file integrity before processing. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in media processing applications, as outlined in industry best practices for secure coding. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict the execution of known vulnerable applications until patches are available, following the principle of least privilege and defense in depth strategies recommended by cybersecurity frameworks.