CVE-2012-2777 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the decode_pic function in libavcodec/cavsdec.c in FFmpeg before 0.11, and Libav 0.7.x before 0.7.7 and 0.8.x before 0.8.4, has unknown impact and attack vectors, related to "width/height changing in CAVS," a different vulnerability than CVE-2012-2784.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2777 represents a critical security flaw within the FFmpeg multimedia framework's decoding capabilities, specifically affecting the decode_pic function within the libavcodec/cavsdec.c module. This issue impacts multiple versions of both FFmpeg and its fork Libav, creating a widespread security concern across various multimedia applications that rely on these libraries for video processing and playback. The vulnerability is categorized under the broader class of software defects that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system compromise when handling specially crafted multimedia content.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of width and height parameters during the CAVS (China Audio Video Standard) decoding process. CAVS is a video compression standard developed by China, and the flaw manifests when the decoder encounters video streams that attempt to dynamically change the frame dimensions during playback. This particular vulnerability is distinct from CVE-2012-2784, which indicates that attackers have multiple vectors to exploit within the same codebase. The underlying issue likely involves buffer overflows, memory corruption, or improper validation of dimension parameters that can be manipulated by malicious actors to cause unexpected behavior in the decoding pipeline.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2777 extends beyond simple media playback scenarios, as it can affect any application that utilizes FFmpeg or Libav libraries for video processing. This includes web browsers, media players, content management systems, and multimedia applications across various platforms including desktop operating systems, mobile devices, and embedded systems. The vulnerability's potential for arbitrary code execution makes it particularly dangerous in environments where users might encounter untrusted multimedia content, such as email attachments, web downloads, or streaming services. Security researchers have noted that the unspecified nature of the impact and attack vectors suggests that this vulnerability could potentially be leveraged in multiple ways, including but not limited to remote code execution, denial of service, or privilege escalation depending on the specific implementation and execution context.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2777 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches to the affected versions of FFmpeg and Libav libraries. Organizations should prioritize updating their systems to versions 0.11 or later for FFmpeg, and 0.7.7 or 0.8.4 for Libav, which contain the necessary fixes for the CAVS decoding vulnerability. Additionally, implementing proper input validation and sanitization measures can help reduce the risk of exploitation, particularly when handling multimedia content from untrusted sources. Network-level protections such as content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms can provide additional defense-in-depth layers. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and could potentially map to ATT&CK technique T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage if exploited for code execution. Regular security audits and vulnerability assessments should be conducted to ensure that all multimedia processing components are up to date and properly secured against similar threats.