CVE-2012-2804 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
Unspecified vulnerability in libavcodec/indeo3.c in FFmpeg before 0.11 and Libav 0.8.x before 0.8.5 has unknown impact and attack vectors, related to "reallocation code" and the luma height and width.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/13/2021
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2012-2804 resides within the FFmpeg multimedia framework's libavcodec/indeo3.c component, affecting versions prior to 0.11 and Libav 0.8.x versions before 0.8.5. This issue specifically targets the handling of Indeo 3 video codec decoding processes where improper memory management occurs during the reallocation of video frame data structures. The flaw manifests in the processing of luma height and width parameters that are used to determine the dimensions of video frames during decoding operations. Such vulnerabilities in multimedia processing libraries represent significant security concerns as they can potentially be exploited through maliciously crafted media files that trigger memory corruption during playback or processing activities.
The technical nature of this vulnerability falls under memory safety issues that can lead to buffer overflows or memory corruption conditions when the decoder attempts to reallocate memory blocks based on incorrect luma dimension calculations. The reallocation code path in the Indeo 3 decoder becomes particularly problematic when processing video streams where the height and width parameters are manipulated or contain unexpected values. This class of vulnerability is categorized under CWE-122, which deals with insufficient memory allocation, and potentially CWE-787, which addresses out-of-bounds write conditions. The vulnerability demonstrates how multimedia codecs can become attack surfaces when parameter validation is inadequate during the decoding process, particularly in the context of video frame dimension handling.
The operational impact of CVE-2012-2804 extends beyond simple playback scenarios to encompass any application or system that utilizes FFmpeg or Libav libraries for video processing. Attackers could potentially exploit this vulnerability through crafted video files delivered via email attachments, malicious websites, or compromised media streaming services. When successfully exploited, the vulnerability could result in arbitrary code execution, denial of service conditions, or system instability, making it particularly dangerous for applications that process untrusted video content. The vulnerability affects a wide range of systems including desktop applications, web browsers, media servers, and mobile devices that rely on these multimedia libraries for video playback functionality. This makes the attack surface particularly broad and increases the potential for widespread exploitation across different platforms and environments.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2012-2804 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches to the affected FFmpeg and Libav libraries. Organizations should prioritize updating their systems to versions 0.11 or later for FFmpeg and 0.8.5 or later for Libav to address the memory handling issues in the Indeo 3 decoder. Additionally, implementing input validation measures and sandboxing techniques can provide defense-in-depth protection against potential exploitation attempts. Security professionals should also consider deploying network monitoring solutions to detect anomalous media file processing activities that could indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date multimedia libraries and implementing proper parameter validation in codec implementations, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 which covers exploitation of software vulnerabilities in multimedia processing components. Organizations should also consider implementing automated patch management systems to ensure timely deployment of security updates across all affected systems and applications.