CVE-2021-47785: Ether MP3 CD Burner RCE Vulnerability

CVE-2021-47785 Overview

CVE-2021-47785 is a buffer overflow vulnerability affecting Ether MP3 CD Burner version 1.3.8. The vulnerability exists in the registration name field and allows attackers to achieve remote code execution through crafted payloads. By exploiting improper input validation, attackers can overwrite SEH (Structured Exception Handler) handlers and execute arbitrary code, including establishing a bind shell on port 3110.

Critical Impact

Successful exploitation allows remote code execution through SEH overwrite, enabling attackers to gain complete control of the affected system and establish persistent access via bind shell on port 3110.

Affected Products

• Ether MP3 CD Burner version 1.3.8

Discovery Timeline

• January 16, 2026 - CVE-2021-47785 published to NVD
• January 16, 2026 - Last updated in NVD database

Technical Details for CVE-2021-47785

Vulnerability Analysis

This vulnerability is classified under CWE-787 (Out-of-bounds Write), which occurs when the software writes data past the end, or before the beginning, of the intended buffer. In the case of Ether MP3 CD Burner, the registration name field fails to properly validate the length of user-supplied input before copying it into a fixed-size buffer.

When an attacker supplies an oversized input string to the registration name field, the application copies this data without bounds checking, causing the buffer to overflow. This overflow overwrites adjacent memory, including the Structured Exception Handler (SEH) chain on the stack. By carefully crafting the malicious payload, an attacker can redirect program execution flow when an exception is triggered.

Root Cause

The root cause of this vulnerability is improper input validation in the registration name processing routine. The application allocates a fixed-size buffer for the registration name but does not enforce length restrictions on user input. This lack of boundary checking allows attackers to write beyond the allocated buffer space, corrupting critical program control structures.

The vulnerable code path accepts registration name data and copies it directly to a stack-based buffer without verifying that the input length does not exceed the buffer capacity. This classic buffer overflow pattern enables stack corruption and SEH overwrite attacks.

Attack Vector

The attack vector for CVE-2021-47785 is local, requiring user interaction. An attacker must craft a malicious registration payload and convince a user to enter it into the registration name field, or supply it through a file that the application processes.

The exploitation technique leverages SEH overwrite methodology. The attacker constructs a payload containing:

1. Padding to reach the SEH handler on the stack
2. Overwritten SEH pointer redirecting to attacker-controlled code
3. Shellcode payload (typically a bind shell listening on port 3110)

When the overflow triggers an exception, Windows transfers execution to the corrupted SEH handler, which redirects to the attacker's shellcode. Technical details and proof-of-concept code are available through the Exploit-DB #50332 advisory.

Detection Methods for CVE-2021-47785

Indicators of Compromise

• Unexpected network connections established on port 3110 from the Ether MP3 CD Burner process
• Abnormal memory access patterns or application crashes in etherburner.exe or related processes
• Suspicious child processes spawned by the CD burner application
• Registry modifications related to registration keys with unusually long values

Detection Strategies

• Monitor for SEH overwrite patterns using endpoint detection rules that flag exception handler chain modifications
• Implement application whitelisting to prevent unauthorized code execution from exploited processes
• Deploy memory integrity monitoring to detect stack corruption and buffer overflow attempts
• Configure process monitoring to alert on unusual network listener creation by desktop applications

Monitoring Recommendations

• Enable Windows Event logging for application crashes and exception handling events
• Monitor network traffic for unexpected outbound connections or new listening ports, particularly port 3110
• Implement file integrity monitoring for the Ether MP3 CD Burner installation directory
• Configure SIEM rules to correlate application crashes with subsequent suspicious network activity

How to Mitigate CVE-2021-47785

Immediate Actions Required

• Remove or disable Ether MP3 CD Burner version 1.3.8 from all systems where it is not strictly required
• Implement application control policies to prevent execution of the vulnerable software
• Deploy endpoint protection solutions capable of detecting SEH overwrite exploitation techniques
• Restrict network access for legacy multimedia applications using host-based firewall rules

Patch Information

No vendor patch information is currently available for this vulnerability. The software vendor has not released an official security update. Organizations should consider the following alternatives:

• Review the VulnCheck Advisory for the latest mitigation guidance
• Consult the CNET product page for any updated versions or vendor communications
• Consider migrating to alternative CD burning software that is actively maintained

Workarounds

• Uninstall Ether MP3 CD Burner and use alternative, actively maintained CD burning software
• If removal is not possible, run the application in an isolated environment or virtual machine with no network access
• Implement Data Execution Prevention (DEP) and Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) to increase exploitation difficulty
• Configure Windows Defender Exploit Guard or similar endpoint protection to monitor for buffer overflow attacks