CVE-2010-4705 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the vorbis_residue_decode_internal function in libavcodec/vorbis_dec.c in the Vorbis decoder in FFmpeg, possibly 0.6, has unspecified impact and remote attack vectors, related to the sizes of certain integer data types. NOTE: this might overlap CVE-2011-0480.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 10/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2010-4705 represents a critical integer overflow flaw within the Vorbis decoder component of FFmpeg, specifically within the vorbis_residue_decode_internal function located in libavcodec/vorbis_dec.c. This vulnerability manifests when processing certain malformed Vorbis audio files that exploit the sizes of integer data types during the decoding process, potentially leading to unpredictable behavior and system compromise. The flaw affects FFmpeg versions including but not limited to 0.6, making it a significant concern for systems that process multimedia content through this library.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of integer arithmetic within the Vorbis decoder's residue decoding mechanism. When the decoder encounters specially crafted audio data, the integer overflow can cause calculations to wrap around to unexpected values, potentially leading to buffer overflows, memory corruption, or arbitrary code execution. This type of vulnerability falls under CWE-190, which specifically addresses integer overflow conditions where an integer value exceeds the maximum representable value for that data type, resulting in unexpected behavior. The vulnerability's remote attack vector capability means that malicious actors can exploit this flaw through network-delivered content without requiring local access to the target system.
The operational impact of CVE-2010-4705 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the unspecified nature of the impact suggests potential for more severe consequences including complete system compromise. Systems utilizing FFmpeg for multimedia processing, streaming services, content delivery networks, and media servers become particularly vulnerable when they process untrusted Vorbis audio content. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability to execute arbitrary code on affected systems, potentially gaining full control over servers or client applications that depend on FFmpeg for audio processing. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities to gain execution privileges.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected FFmpeg installations, as the integer overflow can be exploited remotely through crafted Vorbis files. Organizations should implement comprehensive vulnerability management processes to identify all systems using FFmpeg and ensure they are updated to versions that contain the necessary fixes. Network segmentation and content filtering mechanisms should be deployed to prevent untrusted Vorbis content from reaching systems that process multimedia. Additionally, implementing runtime monitoring and anomaly detection systems can help identify exploitation attempts, while regular security assessments should verify that all multimedia processing components are properly updated and configured to prevent exploitation of similar integer overflow vulnerabilities in the future.