CVE-2018-16797 in PotPlayer
Summary
by MITRE
A heap-based buffer overflow in PotPlayerMini.exe in PotPlayer 1.8.7556 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via a .wav file with large BytesPerSec and SamplesPerSec values, and a small Data_Chunk_Size value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/22/2020
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2018-16797 represents a critical heap-based buffer overflow within the PotPlayer multimedia player software, specifically affecting the PotPlayerMini.exe component in version 1.8.7556. This flaw manifests when the application processes specially crafted .wav audio files that contain manipulated header values, creating a dangerous condition where memory allocation calculations become severely compromised. The vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the audio file parsing routine, allowing attackers to manipulate the BytesPerSec and SamplesPerSec fields to values that, when combined with a deliberately small Data_Chunk_Size field, trigger memory corruption.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability leverages the fundamental weakness in how PotPlayer handles wave file format parsing, particularly in the calculation of memory buffers required for audio data processing. When the application encounters a .wav file with inflated BytesPerSec and SamplesPerSec values, it performs mathematical operations to determine the appropriate buffer size for data storage. However, the small Data_Chunk_Size value creates a scenario where the calculated buffer size becomes significantly smaller than the actual data that would be written, leading to memory overwrite conditions in the heap memory space. This heap overflow creates opportunities for attackers to inject and execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the affected user, as the corrupted memory can be manipulated to redirect execution flow or overwrite critical program structures.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution, as it provides attackers with a potential pathway for privilege escalation and system compromise. The remote exploitation capability means that adversaries can deliver malicious .wav files through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or compromised websites without requiring local access to the target system. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-121 heap-based buffer overflow, which is classified under the Common Weakness Enumeration framework as a critical security flaw involving inadequate bounds checking in heap memory operations. The attack surface is particularly concerning given PotPlayer's widespread adoption across enterprise and consumer environments, potentially affecting thousands of systems that process audio content through this media player.
Security professionals should implement multiple layers of defense to protect against exploitation of this vulnerability, beginning with immediate patching of affected systems to the latest PotPlayer versions that contain memory validation fixes. Network-based mitigations should include content filtering and sandboxing of audio file attachments, particularly in enterprise environments where email security measures are paramount. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with attack patterns found in the MITRE ATT&CK framework under the T1059.007 technique for command and scripting interpreter, as successful exploitation would enable attackers to execute malicious code remotely. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies to restrict execution of PotPlayerMini.exe in high-security environments, while monitoring for unusual file processing patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. Additionally, regular security assessments should include verification of media player software versions to ensure compliance with security best practices and prevent exploitation of known vulnerabilities in widely deployed applications.