CVE-2022-41325 in VLC Media Player
Summary
by MITRE • 12/06/2022
An integer overflow in the VNC module in VideoLAN VLC Media Player through 3.0.17.4 allows attackers, by tricking a user into opening a crafted playlist or connecting to a rogue VNC server, to crash VLC or execute code under some conditions.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 04/24/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2022-41325 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the VNC module of VideoLAN VLC Media Player version 3.0.17.4 and earlier. This issue resides in the handling of certain data structures during VNC server connections or playlist processing, creating a pathway for remote code execution or denial of service attacks. The vulnerability specifically affects the media player's ability to process malformed VNC protocol data, where an attacker can manipulate integer values to cause unexpected behavior in memory allocation and data processing routines. The integer overflow occurs when the application attempts to calculate buffer sizes or array indices based on user-supplied data from VNC server responses or playlist files, leading to memory corruption that can be exploited by malicious actors.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires a specific attack scenario where a user is tricked into either opening a maliciously crafted playlist file or connecting to a rogue VNC server controlled by an attacker. When VLC processes such malicious input, the integer overflow causes the application to allocate insufficient memory buffers or calculate incorrect array indices, potentially leading to stack or heap corruption. This memory corruption can then be leveraged to overwrite critical program memory locations, including return addresses or function pointers, enabling arbitrary code execution under certain conditions. The vulnerability is particularly concerning because it operates at the application level, requiring no special privileges or system-level access to exploit, making it accessible to attackers with minimal technical expertise.
The operational impact of CVE-2022-41325 extends beyond simple application crashes, as successful exploitation can lead to complete system compromise. An attacker who successfully exploits this vulnerability can execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running VLC, potentially allowing for privilege escalation, data exfiltration, or installation of additional malware. The vulnerability's exploitation is particularly dangerous in enterprise environments where VLC is commonly used for media playback, as it could serve as an initial access vector for broader network attacks. Security researchers have classified this issue as high-risk due to its remote exploitability and the potential for privilege escalation, with the ATT&CK framework categorizing this as a code injection technique under the T1059.007 sub-technique for Windows applications, and similar methodologies applicable to other operating systems.
Organizations and users should immediately update to VLC Media Player version 3.0.17.4 or later, which contains patches addressing the integer overflow in the VNC module. System administrators should implement network monitoring to detect suspicious VNC connections or playlist file access patterns that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-190, Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which specifically addresses issues where integer arithmetic results in values that exceed the maximum representable value for the data type. Additional mitigations include disabling VNC functionality in VLC when not required, implementing strict access controls for playlist files, and deploying endpoint protection solutions that can detect and block malicious VNC connections. Security teams should also consider the broader implications of this vulnerability within their security posture, as it demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and memory management in multimedia applications, particularly those handling network protocols and user-supplied data.