CVE-2012-2779 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the decode_frame function in libavcodec/indeo5.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 an invalid "gop header" and decoding in a "half initialized context."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2021
The vulnerability described in CVE-2012-2779 represents a critical security flaw affecting multimedia processing libraries that handle video decoding operations. This issue resides within the decode_frame function of the indeo5.c component in both FFmpeg and Libav software ecosystems, impacting versions prior to specific security patches. The vulnerability manifests during video frame decoding processes when encountering malformed or invalid gop header structures, creating conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability. The affected libraries serve as fundamental components in multimedia applications across various operating systems and platforms, making this vulnerability particularly concerning for widespread exploitation.
The technical nature of this vulnerability stems from improper handling of video frame decoding contexts within the Indeo 5 codec implementation. When processing video streams containing invalid gop headers, the decoder enters a half-initialized state where memory structures remain partially allocated or corrupted. This condition creates a dangerous scenario where subsequent decoding operations can trigger memory corruption, buffer overflows, or other exploitable conditions. The flaw specifically affects the decode_frame function which is responsible for interpreting and reconstructing video frames from compressed data streams. The incomplete initialization of decoding contexts means that the software fails to properly validate input parameters before proceeding with complex memory operations, creating potential attack surfaces for malicious actors.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends far beyond simple video playback failures, as it can enable remote code execution when multimedia applications process maliciously crafted video files. Attackers can exploit this weakness by constructing specially formatted video content that triggers the vulnerable code path during normal playback operations. The vulnerability affects a broad range of applications including media players, web browsers, and multimedia processing software that rely on FFmpeg or Libav libraries for video decoding. Systems running affected versions become susceptible to various attack scenarios including drive-by downloads, malicious email attachments, and compromised websites that serve malicious video content. The lack of specific details about attack vectors in the original CVE description suggests that multiple exploitation techniques may be possible, making the vulnerability particularly dangerous for widespread deployment.
Security mitigations for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected software components to address the improper handling of gop headers and decoding contexts. Organizations should prioritize updating their FFmpeg and Libav installations to versions that contain the necessary fixes, typically those released after the vulnerability disclosure. Additionally, implementing input validation measures and sandboxing techniques can provide additional protection layers for applications that cannot be immediately patched. Network-level controls such as content filtering and media validation can help prevent exploitation attempts by blocking suspicious video content before it reaches end-user systems. The vulnerability aligns with CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions, and may map to ATT&CK techniques involving code injection and privilege escalation through multimedia processing vulnerabilities. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to ensure that all multimedia processing components remain up-to-date and secure against similar threats.