CVE-2012-0853 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
The decodeTonalComponents function in the Actrac3 codec (atrac3.c) in libavcodec in FFmpeg 0.7.x before 0.7.12, and 0.8.x before 0.8.11; and in Libav 0.5.x before 0.5.9, 0.6.x before 0.6.6, 0.7.x before 0.7.5, and 0.8.x before 0.8.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (infinite loop and crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a large component count in an Atrac 3 file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/12/2021
The CVE-2012-0853 vulnerability represents a critical security flaw in the Actrac3 codec implementation within FFmpeg and Libav multimedia frameworks. This vulnerability specifically targets the decodeTonalComponents function in atrac3.c, which processes Atrac 3 audio files used in various digital media applications. The flaw manifests when the codec encounters a malformed audio file containing an excessively large component count parameter, leading to unpredictable behavior that can compromise system stability and potentially enable remote code execution. The vulnerability affects multiple versions of both FFmpeg and Libav, spanning from 0.7.x through 0.8.x releases, making it particularly widespread in multimedia processing environments where these libraries are commonly deployed.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through the manipulation of audio file parameters during the decoding process. When the decodeTonalComponents function processes an Atrac 3 file with an inflated component count value, the internal loop structures within the codec fail to properly validate input parameters. This lack of proper boundary checking causes the function to enter an infinite loop as it attempts to process an impossible number of components, ultimately exhausting system resources and causing the application to crash. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms and insufficient bounds checking within the audio decoding algorithm, creating a path for attackers to manipulate the codec's behavior through specially crafted audio files.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-0853 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as the vulnerability presents potential for remote code execution in certain environments. Attackers can leverage this flaw by hosting malicious Atrac 3 files on web servers or embedding them in other media content, then persuading users to play these files through applications that utilize the vulnerable FFmpeg or Libav libraries. This creates a significant risk for media players, content delivery networks, and streaming services that process user-uploaded audio content without proper sanitization. The vulnerability particularly affects systems where multimedia applications automatically decode and play audio files from untrusted sources, as the infinite loop can be triggered without user interaction, leading to system instability and potential compromise.
Organizations should implement immediate mitigations including upgrading to patched versions of FFmpeg and Libav where available, as the vulnerability was addressed in subsequent releases. System administrators should also consider implementing input validation measures for audio content processing, particularly in environments where user-generated content is handled. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and can be classified under ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate program execution with elevated privileges. Additionally, organizations should deploy network monitoring solutions to detect potential exploitation attempts and establish secure coding practices that emphasize proper input validation and bounds checking in multimedia processing libraries. The remediation process should include comprehensive testing of patched versions to ensure that the fix does not introduce regressions in audio processing functionality while maintaining the security enhancements.