CVE-2012-2782 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the decode_slice_header function in libavcodec/h264.c in FFmpeg before 0.11 has unknown impact and attack vectors, related to a "rejected resolution change."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2782 resides within the FFmpeg multimedia framework, specifically affecting the decode_slice_header function in the libavcodec/h264.c file. This issue represents a critical security flaw in the handling of H.264 video stream decoding processes that could potentially enable remote code execution or system compromise. The vulnerability manifests during the processing of video frames where the decoder encounters a rejected resolution change, creating an exploitable condition that attackers can leverage to manipulate the decoding pipeline. The unspecified nature of the impact and attack vectors suggests that the flaw could enable various malicious activities ranging from denial of service to full system compromise depending on the execution context and payload delivery mechanism.
The technical flaw stems from inadequate input validation and error handling within the H.264 decoding logic, particularly when processing slice headers that contain resolution change information. When the decoder encounters a rejected resolution change, the decode_slice_header function fails to properly validate the incoming data structure, potentially leading to memory corruption or unexpected behavior in the decoding process. This condition creates opportunities for attackers to craft malicious H.264 streams that trigger buffer overflows, pointer corruption, or other memory-related vulnerabilities during the decoding phase. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-125 as an out-of-bounds read condition, where the decoder attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries during the processing of rejected resolution changes.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to any system that processes H.264 video content through FFmpeg, including media servers, content delivery networks, streaming platforms, and multimedia applications. Attackers could exploit this flaw by delivering malicious video content that triggers the vulnerable code path when the decoder attempts to process the rejected resolution change. The impact extends beyond simple playback failures to potentially enable remote code execution, making it particularly dangerous for web applications and services that accept user-uploaded video content. The vulnerability affects systems across multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, and Unix-based operating systems where FFmpeg is deployed as a multimedia processing library.
The attack surface for CVE-2012-2782 is extensive given FFmpeg's widespread adoption in multimedia applications, streaming services, and content management systems. The vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including web-based multimedia applications, email attachments containing malicious video files, or compromised content delivery networks that serve malicious video streams. Security researchers have noted that exploitation typically requires crafting specific H.264 bitstream structures that force the decoder into the vulnerable code path during normal video playback operations. This makes the vulnerability particularly concerning for applications that process untrusted video content without proper input sanitization or validation mechanisms. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under privilege escalation and code execution techniques, as it enables attackers to gain unauthorized access to system resources through multimedia processing components.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2782 primarily involve immediate patching of FFmpeg installations to versions 0.11 or later where the vulnerability has been addressed through improved input validation and error handling in the decode_slice_header function. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all FFmpeg-dependent applications receive timely updates. Additional defensive measures include implementing input validation controls at application layers, using sandboxing techniques for multimedia processing, and deploying network-based intrusion detection systems that can identify suspicious video content patterns. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual video processing activities and potential exploitation attempts through malformed H.264 streams. The vulnerability highlights the importance of maintaining up-to-date multimedia libraries and implementing defense-in-depth strategies for processing untrusted multimedia content.