CVE-2013-0872 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
The swr_init function in libswresample/swresample.c in FFmpeg before 1.1.3 allows remote attackers to have an unspecified impact via an invalid or unsupported (1) input or (2) output channel layout, related to an out-of-bounds array access.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/04/2018
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-0872 represents a critical out-of-bounds array access flaw within the FFmpeg multimedia framework's libswresample library. This issue specifically affects the swr_init function located in libswresample/swresample.c, which is responsible for initializing audio resampling operations. The vulnerability manifests when processing audio streams with invalid or unsupported input or output channel layouts, creating a scenario where the software attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated array boundaries. This type of flaw falls under the CWE-129 weakness category, which encompasses issues related to improper validation of array indices or object bounds, and represents a classic example of buffer overflow conditions that can lead to arbitrary code execution or system instability.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs during the audio resampling initialization phase when FFmpeg encounters malformed channel layout specifications in media files. When the swr_init function processes these invalid channel configurations, it fails to properly validate the input parameters before performing array operations, leading to memory corruption. The out-of-bounds access typically results in undefined behavior that can be leveraged by attackers to execute malicious code with the privileges of the affected application. This vulnerability is particularly dangerous in multimedia processing environments where FFmpeg is commonly used for handling various audio formats, as it can be triggered through crafted media files that contain malformed channel layout metadata. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this as a memory corruption vulnerability that could enable privilege escalation and code execution through the use of malformed input data.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-0872 extends across numerous applications and systems that rely on FFmpeg for audio processing capabilities, including media servers, content management systems, and multimedia applications. Attackers can exploit this vulnerability by preparing specially crafted media files with invalid channel layout specifications, which when processed by vulnerable FFmpeg implementations can lead to complete system compromise. The vulnerability affects versions prior to FFmpeg 1.1.3, making a significant portion of deployed systems susceptible to attack. Organizations using FFmpeg in streaming services, video processing pipelines, or content ingestion systems face particular risk, as these environments often process untrusted media inputs from various sources. The vulnerability's exploitation potential aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which involves the use of malicious files to execute code, and T1059, which covers command and scripting interpreter usage in compromised systems.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-0872 primarily involve upgrading to FFmpeg version 1.1.3 or later, which includes patches addressing the out-of-bounds array access issue. System administrators should also implement input validation measures that filter or sanitize audio channel layout specifications before processing, particularly in environments handling untrusted media content. Additionally, deploying intrusion detection systems that monitor for anomalous audio processing patterns and maintaining updated security patches across all multimedia processing components helps reduce the attack surface. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of proper input validation and bounds checking in multimedia processing libraries, as highlighted by CWE-129 requirements for robust array boundary validation. Organizations should also consider implementing sandboxing techniques for media processing tasks and regularly auditing their multimedia processing pipelines for similar issues that could lead to memory corruption vulnerabilities.