CVE-2010-4704 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
libavcodec/vorbis_dec.c in the Vorbis decoder in FFmpeg 0.6.1 and earlier allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (application crash) via a crafted .ogg file, related to the vorbis_floor0_decode function. NOTE: this might overlap CVE-2011-0480.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4704 represents a critical denial of service flaw within the FFmpeg multimedia framework's Vorbis audio decoder implementation. This vulnerability specifically affects versions 0.6.1 and earlier, where the libavcodec/vorbis_dec.c module contains a flaw in the vorbis_floor0_decode function that can be exploited through maliciously crafted .ogg audio files. The issue manifests as an application crash that effectively renders the affected system unable to process legitimate audio content, creating a significant operational disruption.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability lies in inadequate input validation within the Vorbis decoder's floor0 decoding routine. When processing specially constructed .ogg files, the vorbis_floor0_decode function fails to properly handle malformed or unexpected data structures, leading to memory corruption or unexpected program termination. This class of vulnerability falls under CWE-125, which describes out-of-bounds read conditions, and CWE-248, which encompasses unspecified other flaws in the implementation. The vulnerability operates at the application layer, specifically within the multimedia processing subsystem where audio files are decoded and rendered.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents a substantial risk to systems that rely on FFmpeg for audio processing, particularly in environments where users may encounter untrusted .ogg files. Attackers can remotely trigger application crashes by simply delivering a crafted .ogg file, making this vector particularly dangerous for web applications, media servers, and content delivery networks. The impact extends beyond simple service interruption as it can be leveraged in larger attack chains, potentially enabling more sophisticated exploitation techniques. This vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation for privilege escalation through application vulnerabilities, and T1499, which encompasses network denial of service attacks.
The remediation approach for this vulnerability requires immediate patching of FFmpeg installations to versions 0.6.2 or later, where the input validation issues have been addressed. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly. Additionally, deploying input validation controls at network boundaries, such as content filtering appliances or web application firewalls, can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for audio processing tasks and establishing robust monitoring for application crash patterns that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in multimedia processing libraries, as these components often handle untrusted data from diverse sources without adequate sanitization measures.