CVE-2013-7016 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
The get_siz function in libavcodec/jpeg2000dec.c in FFmpeg before 2.1 does not ensure the expected sample separation, 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-2013-7016 represents a critical security flaw within the FFmpeg multimedia framework's JPEG2000 decoder component. This issue resides in the get_siz function located within libavcodec/jpeg2000dec.c, where the software fails to properly validate the expected sample separation parameters in JPEG2000 image data structures. The flaw manifests when processing specially crafted JPEG2000 files that contain malformed sample separation values, creating a condition where the decoder does not adequately verify input data integrity before proceeding with array operations.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient bounds checking and input validation within the JPEG2000 decoding pipeline. When FFmpeg encounters JPEG2000 data with manipulated sample separation parameters, the get_siz function attempts to access array elements beyond their allocated memory boundaries. This out-of-bounds array access represents a classic buffer overflow condition that can lead to unpredictable behavior including program crashes, memory corruption, or potential code execution. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of CWE-129, which addresses insufficient input validation, and CWE-787, which covers out-of-bounds write operations, making it particularly dangerous in multimedia processing contexts where untrusted input is common.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios to potentially enable more sophisticated attack vectors. Remote attackers can exploit this weakness by delivering maliciously crafted JPEG2000 files through various attack vectors including web applications, email attachments, or multimedia streaming services that utilize FFmpeg for media processing. The unspecified other impacts mentioned in the vulnerability description suggest that beyond the immediate out-of-bounds access, attackers might be able to leverage this condition to execute arbitrary code or escalate privileges, particularly in environments where FFmpeg processes untrusted media content. This vulnerability directly maps to ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of remote services through media processing components, and T1059, covering command and scripting interpreter usage for exploitation.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-7016 require immediate software updates to FFmpeg versions 2.1 and later, where the vulnerability has been addressed through enhanced input validation and bounds checking mechanisms. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all systems utilizing FFmpeg for media processing are updated promptly. Additional defensive measures include deploying input sanitization layers that validate JPEG2000 file structures before processing, implementing network segmentation to limit exposure of systems running FFmpeg, and employing sandboxing techniques to contain potential exploitation attempts. Security monitoring should focus on detecting unusual media processing patterns or service disruptions that might indicate exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the critical importance of input validation in multimedia frameworks and highlights the need for robust security practices in open source multimedia libraries that process untrusted data from diverse sources.