CVE-2012-2797 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in the decode_frame_mp3on4 function in libavcodec/mpegaudiodec.c in FFmpeg before 0.11 and Libav 0.8.x before 0.8.5 has unknown impact and attack vectors related to a calculation that prevents a frame from being "large enough."
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2797 resides within the FFmpeg multimedia framework's audio decoding component, specifically in the decode_frame_mp3on4 function located in libavcodec/mpegaudiodec.c. This flaw affects versions of FFmpeg prior to 0.11 and Libav 0.8.x prior to 0.8.5, representing a critical security issue that could potentially allow attackers to exploit malformed audio files. The vulnerability stems from an insufficient validation mechanism during the MP3 audio frame decoding process, where the calculation that determines frame size fails to properly account for certain edge cases or malformed input data.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it within the realm of buffer overflows and memory corruption issues, as indicated by the description of a calculation that prevents a frame from being "large enough." This suggests that the decoder does not adequately validate the size parameters of incoming MP3 frames, potentially allowing an attacker to craft malicious audio files that trigger incorrect memory allocation or access patterns. The unspecified impact and attack vectors indicate that the vulnerability could manifest in various ways including arbitrary code execution, denial of service, or information disclosure depending on how the malformed frame data is processed. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and CWE-125, which covers out-of-bounds read conditions.
From an operational standpoint, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that process MP3 audio files, particularly those that are exposed to untrusted input sources such as web applications, media servers, or content delivery networks. The attack surface is broad since MP3 files are widely used across various platforms and applications, making exploitation potentially widespread. Attackers could leverage this vulnerability by embedding maliciously crafted MP3 files in web content, email attachments, or media streaming services, potentially leading to remote code execution on vulnerable systems. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios as the unspecified nature of the vulnerability suggests potential for more severe consequences including complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2797 primarily involve immediate software updates to patched versions of FFmpeg and Libav, which address the underlying calculation flaw in the MP3 decoding logic. System administrators should prioritize updating their multimedia processing libraries and ensure that all applications relying on these components are patched. Additional protective measures include implementing strict input validation for audio files, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems to monitor for suspicious audio file patterns, and configuring sandboxing mechanisms around media processing applications. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates. The vulnerability highlights the importance of robust input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia codecs, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate program execution and T1059 for command and scripting interpreter usage in exploitation scenarios.