CVE-2013-7409 in ALLPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in ALLPlayer 5.6.2 through 5.8.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a long string in a .m3u (playlist) file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/21/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7409 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw affecting ALLPlayer versions 5.6.2 through 5.8.1. This issue manifests when the media player processes malformed playlist files with excessively long strings in .m3u format, creating a dangerous condition that can be exploited remotely by malicious actors. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of software input validation and memory management, where the application fails to properly bounds-check string inputs during playlist parsing operations. The flaw specifically impacts the player's handling of playlist metadata, particularly when encountering unusually long URLs or identifier strings within the playlist structure.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate memory allocation and string handling practices within the ALLPlayer application's playlist parser component. When processing a malicious .m3u file containing a buffer overflow payload, the application attempts to store a string exceeding its allocated memory buffer space, leading to memory corruption. This memory corruption can manifest in two primary ways: immediate application crash resulting in denial of service or potential code execution if the corrupted memory locations can be manipulated to redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability's remote exploitation capability means attackers can deliver malicious playlist files through various vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised media sharing platforms without requiring local system access.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risk to end users who rely on ALLPlayer for media playback, particularly in enterprise environments where media files are frequently shared through collaborative platforms. The potential for arbitrary code execution elevates the threat level beyond simple denial of service, as successful exploitation could allow attackers to gain unauthorized access to affected systems. The vulnerability affects a broad user base given ALLPlayer's widespread adoption, making it an attractive target for threat actors seeking to leverage the exploit across multiple systems. The remote nature of the attack vector reduces the attack surface complexity, as no user interaction beyond opening the malicious playlist file is required for exploitation to occur.
Security professionals should consider this vulnerability in relation to CWE-121, which specifically addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and CWE-122, which covers heap-based buffer overflow scenarios. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under T1203, which involves exploitation of remote services and network-based attacks, while also mapping to T1059 for the execution of malicious code through compromised applications. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of ALLPlayer to versions that address the buffer overflow condition, implementing network-based restrictions on playlist file types, and deploying application whitelisting policies to prevent execution of untrusted media files. Organizations should also consider network segmentation and monitoring for unusual playlist file access patterns to detect potential exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of regular software updates and proper input validation in media processing applications, particularly those handling user-provided content.