CVE-2020-37024: Nidesoft DVD Ripper Buffer Overflow Flaw

CVE-2020-37024 Overview

Nidesoft DVD Ripper 5.2.18 contains a local buffer overflow vulnerability in the License Code registration parameter that allows attackers to execute arbitrary code. Attackers can craft a malicious payload and paste it into the License Code field to trigger a stack-based buffer overflow and execute shellcode. This vulnerability represents a classic stack-based buffer overflow (CWE-120) that can be exploited to gain control of the instruction pointer and redirect execution flow.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation allows attackers to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the application user, potentially leading to complete system compromise.

Affected Products

• Nidesoft DVD Ripper version 5.2.18

Discovery Timeline

• 2026-01-30 - CVE CVE-2020-37024 published to NVD
• 2026-02-04 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2020-37024

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability exists in the license registration functionality of Nidesoft DVD Ripper. When a user enters a license code, the application fails to properly validate the length of the input before copying it into a fixed-size buffer on the stack. This classic buffer overflow condition allows an attacker to overwrite adjacent memory, including the return address stored on the stack.

The vulnerability requires local access and user interaction, meaning an attacker must either have physical access to the system or convince a user to paste a malicious payload into the License Code field. Once triggered, the overflow corrupts the stack and allows the attacker to redirect program execution to arbitrary shellcode.

Root Cause

The root cause is a classic buffer overflow (CWE-120: Buffer Copy without Checking Size of Input). The application uses an unsafe memory copy operation that does not verify the length of user-supplied input against the destination buffer size. When oversized input is provided through the License Code registration field, the excess data overwrites adjacent stack memory, including saved return addresses and other control data.

Attack Vector

The attack requires local access to the vulnerable application. An attacker crafts a specially designed payload containing:

1. Padding bytes to fill the legitimate buffer space
2. Overwrite bytes to control the saved return address
3. Shellcode to be executed once control is redirected

The attacker then inputs this payload into the License Code registration field. When the application processes this input, the buffer overflow occurs, the return address is overwritten, and upon function return, execution jumps to the attacker's shellcode.

The vulnerability is documented in public exploit databases. For technical exploitation details, refer to the Exploit-DB #48687 entry and the VulnCheck Advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2020-37024

Indicators of Compromise

• Presence of Nidesoft DVD Ripper version 5.2.18 installed on endpoints
• Unusual process behavior or crashes of the DVD Ripper application
• Evidence of shellcode execution patterns in memory forensics
• Unexpected child processes spawned from the DVD Ripper application

Detection Strategies

• Deploy endpoint detection and response (EDR) solutions to monitor for buffer overflow exploitation patterns and abnormal memory operations
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized execution of legacy or vulnerable software
• Use memory protection technologies such as DEP (Data Execution Prevention) and ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) to mitigate exploitation success
• Monitor for installation of Nidesoft DVD Ripper 5.2.18 through software inventory tools

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable crash dump collection and analysis for the Nidesoft DVD Ripper application to detect exploitation attempts
• Configure SentinelOne agents to detect and prevent stack-based buffer overflow exploitation attempts
• Monitor process execution chains for anomalous behavior following DVD Ripper application execution

How to Mitigate CVE-2020-37024

Immediate Actions Required

• Remove or uninstall Nidesoft DVD Ripper version 5.2.18 from all endpoints if not business-critical
• If the software must be retained, restrict its use to isolated environments with no network connectivity
• Implement application control policies to block execution of the vulnerable application
• Deploy endpoint protection solutions with exploit prevention capabilities

Patch Information

No official patch has been identified for this vulnerability. Nidesoft DVD Ripper appears to be legacy software that may no longer receive security updates. Organizations should consider migrating to alternative, actively maintained DVD ripping solutions. For additional information, see Nidesoft DVD Ripper Info and the VulnCheck Advisory.

Workarounds

• Run the application in a sandboxed or virtualized environment to contain potential exploitation
• Ensure operating system memory protections (DEP/ASLR) are enabled system-wide
• Restrict access to the application to only trusted users who understand the risks
• Use SentinelOne's behavioral AI to detect and block exploitation attempts at runtime

# Verify memory protection status on Windows
wmic OS Get DataExecutionPrevention_SupportPolicy
# Remove vulnerable software via PowerShell
Get-Package -Name "*Nidesoft*" | Uninstall-Package -Force