CVE-2008-4867 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in libavcodec/dca.c in FFmpeg 0.4.9 before r14917, as used by MPlayer, allows context-dependent attackers to have an unknown impact via vectors related to an incorrect DCA_MAX_FRAME_SIZE value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/31/2019
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2008-4867 represents a critical buffer overflow condition within the FFmpeg multimedia framework, specifically in the libavcodec/dca.c module. This flaw affects FFmpeg versions 0.4.9 and earlier, particularly before revision r14917, and has significant implications for systems that utilize FFmpeg libraries or applications built upon them such as MPlayer. The vulnerability manifests when processing DCA (Dolby Digital Audio) audio streams, where an incorrect DCA_MAX_FRAME_SIZE value leads to improper buffer handling during audio decoding operations.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and buffer size calculation within the DCA audio decoder implementation. When FFmpeg encounters a malformed DCA audio frame with an unexpectedly large frame size value, the library fails to properly validate this parameter against expected boundaries. This allows an attacker to craft malicious audio streams that trigger a buffer overflow condition, potentially leading to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The vulnerability is context-dependent, meaning its exploitation requires specific conditions related to the processing environment and the particular audio stream being handled.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial-of-service scenarios, as it can potentially enable remote code execution in systems that process untrusted audio content. Attackers could exploit this weakness by delivering specially crafted DCA audio files through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or streaming media services. Systems using affected versions of FFmpeg or MPlayer would be particularly vulnerable when processing multimedia content from untrusted sources, creating potential entry points for malicious actors seeking to compromise multimedia processing environments. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, which addresses stack-based buffer overflow conditions, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for remote code execution through multimedia processing components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2008-4867 primarily focus on updating to patched versions of FFmpeg where the buffer size validation has been corrected. Organizations should immediately upgrade to FFmpeg versions that include the fix for this vulnerability, specifically those following revision r14917 or later. Additionally, implementing input validation controls and content filtering mechanisms can help reduce exposure by preventing processing of suspicious audio files. Network segmentation and access controls should be enforced to limit the potential impact of exploitation, while regular security audits of multimedia processing systems can help identify and remediate similar vulnerabilities in other components of the multimedia pipeline.