CVE-2011-4351 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
Buffer overflow in FFmpeg before 0.5.6, 0.6.x before 0.6.4, 0.7.x before 0.7.8, and 0.8.x before 0.8.8 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2011-4351 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the FFmpeg multimedia framework that affected multiple version branches prior to specific patch releases. This vulnerability resides in the core multimedia processing libraries that handle various audio and video format decoding operations, making it particularly dangerous as FFmpeg is widely deployed across numerous applications and systems for media processing tasks. The buffer overflow occurs during the handling of malformed media files or streams, where insufficient input validation leads to memory corruption that can be exploited by remote attackers to gain arbitrary code execution privileges.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper bounds checking within FFmpeg's media parsing routines, specifically affecting the handling of certain media format parameters that are processed during file decoding operations. When an attacker crafts a malicious media file with oversized or malformed data structures, the application fails to properly validate the input size against allocated buffer boundaries, resulting in memory overwrite conditions. This flaw operates at the intersection of multiple CWE categories including CWE-121 Heap-based Buffer Overflow and CWE-787 Out-of-bounds Write, which are classified under the broader category of memory safety vulnerabilities. The vulnerability's exploitation potential is amplified by its remote nature, meaning attackers can trigger the condition through network-based media delivery without requiring local system access.
The operational impact of CVE-2011-4351 extends far beyond simple code execution as it affects systems that rely on FFmpeg for media processing, including web servers, content management systems, media streaming platforms, and various multimedia applications. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to compromise servers hosting media content, potentially gaining full control over the affected systems and using them as launch points for further attacks within the network infrastructure. The vulnerability's presence in multiple version branches indicates a systemic issue within FFmpeg's codebase that required coordinated patching efforts across different release lines, highlighting the widespread nature of the affected installations. Organizations using FFmpeg for media processing face significant risk exposure, particularly those handling user-uploaded content or streaming media from untrusted sources.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of all affected FFmpeg installations to the corrected versions specified in the security advisories, with particular attention to the version ranges mentioned in the vulnerability description. System administrators should implement comprehensive monitoring for suspicious media file handling activities and consider deploying intrusion detection systems that can identify exploitation attempts targeting media processing components. Additionally, organizations should establish strict input validation policies for all media file uploads and consider implementing sandboxing mechanisms for media processing operations to limit the potential impact of successful exploits. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of keeping multimedia processing libraries updated and implementing defense-in-depth strategies that reduce the attack surface for applications relying on such fundamental components.