CVE-2013-0864 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
The gif_copy_img_rect function in libavcodec/gifdec.c in FFmpeg before 1.1.2 performs an incorrect calculation for an "end pointer," which allows remote attackers to have an unspecified impact via crafted GIF data that triggers an out-of-bounds array access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/03/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0864 represents a critical buffer overflow flaw within the FFmpeg multimedia framework's GIF decoding component. This issue resides in the gif_copy_img_rect function located in libavcodec/gifdec.c, where improper pointer arithmetic leads to incorrect end pointer calculations during GIF image processing. The flaw affects FFmpeg versions prior to 1.1.2, making it a significant security concern for systems relying on this popular multimedia library for video and audio processing tasks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking within the GIF decoding logic. When processing malformed GIF files, the gif_copy_img_rect function fails to properly validate array boundaries during image rectangle copying operations. This incorrect end pointer calculation creates a scenario where memory access occurs beyond the allocated buffer boundaries, potentially leading to memory corruption. The vulnerability manifests as an out-of-bounds array access that can be triggered through carefully crafted GIF data, making it particularly dangerous for applications that process untrusted multimedia content.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents substantial risk to systems that utilize FFmpeg for processing GIF images, including web servers, media processing applications, and content management systems. Attackers can exploit this flaw by uploading or transmitting specially crafted GIF files that, when processed by vulnerable FFmpeg installations, cause memory corruption and potential code execution. The unspecified impact mentioned in the CVE description suggests that the vulnerability could enable various malicious outcomes including denial of service, arbitrary code execution, or information disclosure depending on the specific execution context and memory layout.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1203, specifically the use of malicious files for code execution. Organizations using FFmpeg for multimedia processing should consider this vulnerability as part of their broader security posture assessment, particularly in environments where untrusted input is processed. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as memory corruption vulnerabilities often provide attack vectors for more sophisticated exploitation techniques including privilege escalation and remote code execution.
Mitigation strategies should focus on immediate patching of FFmpeg installations to version 1.1.2 or later, where the buffer overflow has been addressed through proper bounds checking implementation. Additionally, organizations should implement input validation measures for GIF files, including file format verification, size limits, and content scanning before processing. Network-based defenses can include implementing strict content filtering rules that block suspicious GIF files or employing sandboxing techniques to isolate multimedia processing operations. Regular security assessments and vulnerability scanning should be conducted to identify other potential buffer overflow vulnerabilities within multimedia processing libraries and ensure comprehensive protection against similar threats.