CVE-2007-4938: Heap-based buffer overflow in libmpdemux/aviheader.c in MPlayer 1.0rc1 and earlier allows remote attackers to

This week

HIGH 7.6DOWNGRADEMITIGATE

CVE-2007-4938 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.6) affecting mplayer, irix. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

Heap-based buffer overflow in libmpdemux/aviheader.c in MPlayer 1.0rc1 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a .avi file with certain large "indx truck size" and nEntriesInuse values, and a certain wLongsPerEntry value.

Why this priority

High severity
EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited
Public exploit reference

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.6 (High)
EPSS exploit chance	16.0% (top 3%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-119
Published	2007-09-18
Last modified	2026-06-16

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: mplayer · sgi

Last updated 2026-06-16 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2007-09-18 19:17 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-16 22:45 UTCUpdated Record last modified

mplayer mplayer DOWNGRADE

Affected: 1.0_rc1

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 1.0_rc1

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy mplayer || rpm -q mplayer || mplayer --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 1.0_rc1 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison mplayer sudo apt install mplayer=<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0_rc1> sudo apt-mark hold mplayer

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list mplayer sudo dnf downgrade mplayer-<VERSION_BEFORE_1.0_rc1> sudo dnf versionlock add mplayer

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

sgi irix MITIGATE

Affected: all versions

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: no unaffected older release

Check your OS release

cat /etc/os-release; uname -r

Debian / Ubuntu

sudo apt update && sudo apt full-upgrade

RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora

sudo dnf upgrade --refresh

Windows

Install the latest cumulative update from Windows Update

If no patch exists yet

OS downgrades are not safe. Apply the vendor mitigation from the advisory and restrict exposure.

Public exploits and detection

Public code exists for this CVE. Treat unpatched systems as at risk, and only run PoCs in a lab.

Exploit-DB: MPlayer 1.0 - AVIHeader.C Heap Buffer Overflow

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2007-4938?

mplayer: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation; irix: mitigate or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2007-4938 being exploited?

CVE-2007-4938 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2007-4938 affect?

CVE-2007-4938 affects mplayer, irix. Severity is high (CVSS 7.6). Heap-based buffer overflow in libmpdemux/aviheader.c in MPlayer 1.0rc1 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via a .avi file with certain large "indx truck si

How urgent is CVE-2007-4938?

Priority 56/100. High severity; EPSS top 3%: very likely to be exploited; Public exploit reference

Related CVEs

CVE-2022-38866 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Certain The MPlayer Project products are vulnerable to Buffer Overflow via read_avi_header() of libmpdemux/avi
CVE-2022-38865 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Certain The MPlayer Project products are vulnerable to Divide By Zero via the function demux_avi_read_packet o
CVE-2022-38864 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Certain The MPlayer Project products are vulnerable to Buffer Overflow via the function mp_unescape03() of lib
CVE-2022-38863 MEDIUM 5.5 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Certain The MPlayer Project products are vulnerable to Buffer Overflow via function mp_getbits() of libmpdemux
CVE-2022-38862 HIGH 7.8 DOWNGRADE DOWNGRADE Certain The MPlayer Project products are vulnerable to Buffer Overflow via function play() of libaf/af.c:639

References

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