CVE-2013-7012 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
The get_siz function in libavcodec/jpeg2000dec.c in FFmpeg before 2.1 does not prevent attempts to use non-zero image offsets, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds array access) or possibly have unspecified other impact via crafted JPEG2000 data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7012 represents a critical flaw in the FFmpeg multimedia framework's JPEG2000 decoder implementation. This issue resides within the get_siz function located in libavcodec/jpeg2000dec.c, where the software fails to properly validate image offset parameters during JPEG2000 file processing. The flaw manifests when the decoder encounters crafted JPEG2000 data containing non-zero image offsets, creating a scenario where the application attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated array boundaries. This type of vulnerability falls under the category of out-of-bounds memory access, which is classified as CWE-129 in the Common Weakness Enumeration catalog and represents a fundamental security weakness that can lead to system instability or potential exploitation.
The technical execution of this vulnerability occurs during the decoding process when FFmpeg processes JPEG2000 formatted media files. When the get_siz function processes image offset data, it does not adequately validate whether the specified offset values are within acceptable ranges or properly constrained. This validation failure allows malicious actors to craft specially formatted JPEG2000 files that contain invalid offset parameters, which when processed by the vulnerable FFmpeg version trigger the out-of-bounds array access condition. The operational impact of this flaw extends beyond simple denial of service, as the unspecified other impacts mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest potential for more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution or system compromise.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability affects any system running FFmpeg versions prior to 2.1, making it particularly concerning given FFmpeg's widespread adoption across multimedia applications, content delivery networks, and media processing platforms. The remote exploitation aspect means that attackers can trigger this vulnerability through web-based media streaming, file uploads, or any scenario where JPEG2000 content is processed without proper input validation. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1203 - Exploitation for Client Execution tactic, as it represents a method for attackers to execute malicious code through media processing applications. The vulnerability's potential for unspecified other impacts aligns with ATT&CK's T1068 - Exploitation for Privilege Escalation when considering the broader implications of memory corruption in multimedia processing libraries.
The mitigation strategy for CVE-2013-7012 involves immediate upgrading to FFmpeg version 2.1 or later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through proper input validation of image offset parameters. Organizations should also implement comprehensive media file validation processes that include signature checking and content sanitization before processing any JPEG2000 data. Network-based mitigations can include implementing content filtering rules that block or quarantine JPEG2000 files, though this approach may impact legitimate use cases. The fix implemented in FFmpeg 2.1 demonstrates proper defensive programming practices by ensuring that all image offset values are validated against expected ranges before being used in array indexing operations. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of input validation in multimedia processing libraries and the potential for seemingly benign format parsing to become security attack vectors. Organizations utilizing FFmpeg should conduct thorough security assessments of their media processing pipelines and ensure that all dependencies are maintained at secure, up-to-date versions to prevent exploitation of similar vulnerabilities in the future.