CVE-2017-10725 in WinAmp
Summary
by MITRE
Winamp 5.666 Build 3516(x86) allows attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service via a crafted .flv file, related to "Data from Faulting Address controls Code Flow starting at in_flv!winampGetInModule2+0x00000000000009a8."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2017-10725 affects Winamp version 5.666 Build 3516 x86, representing a critical security flaw that enables remote code execution or denial of service attacks through maliciously crafted .flv media files. This vulnerability resides within the in_flv plugin component of Winamp, specifically manifesting at the winampGetInModule2 function where faulting address data directly controls code flow. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with a buffer overflow vulnerability, where improper input validation allows attackers to manipulate memory execution paths. The affected code path begins at offset 0x9a8 within the in_flv module, indicating a specific location where memory corruption occurs during file processing. This type of vulnerability falls under the CWE-121 category of stack-based buffer overflow, where insufficient bounds checking permits attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations including return addresses. The attack vector requires a user to open a specially crafted .flv file, making this a classic client-side exploitation scenario that aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 for exploitation for execution. The vulnerability's impact extends beyond simple code execution as it can also lead to denial of service conditions, effectively crashing the application or rendering it unresponsive. Security researchers have identified that the flaw stems from inadequate handling of malformed FLV file headers, particularly in the way the application parses video metadata and frame information. When processing the malicious file, the application fails to properly validate the length fields in the FLV header structure, allowing attackers to specify oversized data segments that overflow allocated buffers. This type of vulnerability represents a significant risk in enterprise environments where users may inadvertently encounter malicious media files, especially in untrusted network locations or email attachments. The vulnerability's exploitability is heightened by the fact that Winamp was widely distributed and used across multiple platforms, increasing the potential attack surface. Organizations should consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their security posture, as it demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia processing applications. The flaw also illustrates the persistent nature of legacy software vulnerabilities, where older applications continue to pose security risks despite being superseded by newer versions. Mitigation strategies should include immediate patching of the affected Winamp version, implementation of network-based file filtering to block suspicious .flv files, and user education regarding the dangers of opening untrusted media files. Additionally, security teams should implement application whitelisting controls to prevent execution of vulnerable versions of Winamp and consider deploying sandboxing mechanisms for media file processing. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of secure coding practices, particularly in applications that process untrusted input data, and highlights the necessity of regular security assessments for legacy software components.