CVE-2018-25301 in Easy MPEG to DVD Burner
Summary
by MITRE • 04/29/2026
Easy MPEG to DVD Burner 1.7.11 contains a structured exception handling (SEH) local buffer overflow vulnerability that allows local attackers to execute arbitrary code by supplying a malicious username string. Attackers can craft a payload containing junk data, SEH chain pointers, and shellcode that overwrites the SEH handler to redirect execution and run arbitrary commands like opening calc.exe.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/26/2026
This vulnerability exists in Easy MPEG to DVD Burner version 1.7.11 and represents a classic structured exception handling local buffer overflow flaw that can be exploited by local attackers to achieve arbitrary code execution. The vulnerability stems from improper input validation within the application's username handling mechanism, where user-supplied strings are copied directly into fixed-size buffers without adequate bounds checking. When a malicious username string is provided containing more data than the allocated buffer space, it overflows into adjacent memory regions including the structured exception handler chain. This buffer overflow occurs within the application's local execution context, making it a local privilege escalation vulnerability rather than a remote attack vector. The flaw allows attackers to manipulate the SEH chain pointers and inject shellcode that can be executed when the application processes the malformed username input, effectively enabling code execution with the privileges of the running application.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with common software security weaknesses classified under CWE-121, which describes stack-based buffer overflow conditions where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to overwrite adjacent memory locations. The vulnerability specifically manifests as a local buffer overflow that affects the structured exception handling mechanism, making it particularly dangerous as it can be leveraged to bypass security measures that might otherwise prevent code execution. The SEH chain manipulation allows attackers to redirect program execution flow to their injected shellcode, which can perform various malicious activities including spawning calculator applications or other system processes. This type of vulnerability is particularly concerning because it requires minimal privileges to exploit and can be triggered through normal application usage when processing user-provided input.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple code execution as it represents a significant security risk for any system running the affected software. Local attackers who can influence the application's username input processing can gain unauthorized code execution capabilities, potentially leading to privilege escalation, data theft, or system compromise. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where users might have legitimate access to the application but could exploit this flaw to escalate their privileges or gain access to sensitive system resources. Attackers can craft payloads that not only execute arbitrary commands but can also establish persistence mechanisms or exfiltrate data from the compromised system. The attack surface is limited to local execution within the application context but can provide a foothold for further exploitation or lateral movement within the network environment.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software updates and patches from the vendor, as the most effective solution addresses the root cause of the buffer overflow condition. System administrators should implement privilege separation and least-privilege principles to limit the impact of potential exploitation, ensuring that the application runs with minimal necessary permissions. Input validation measures should be strengthened to prevent buffer overflows, including implementing proper bounds checking and using safe string handling functions that prevent buffer overflows. Additionally, security monitoring should be enhanced to detect unusual application behavior or execution patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of code review processes and static analysis tools that can identify similar buffer overflow conditions in other parts of the application or related software components. Organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies and runtime protection mechanisms that can detect and prevent the execution of malicious payloads, particularly those designed to manipulate structured exception handling chains as described in the attack methodology.