CVE-2013-7019 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
The get_cox function in libavcodec/jpeg2000dec.c in FFmpeg before 2.1 does not properly validate the reduction factor, 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-2013-7019 resides within the FFmpeg multimedia framework's JPEG2000 decoder component, specifically in the get_cox function located in libavcodec/jpeg2000dec.c. This flaw represents a classic buffer over-read condition that occurs when the software fails to properly validate input parameters during JPEG2000 file processing. The issue affects FFmpeg versions prior to 2.1, making it a significant concern for systems that rely on older multimedia processing libraries. The vulnerability manifests when the reduction factor parameter is not adequately validated, creating an opportunity for malicious actors to manipulate the decoding process through carefully crafted JPEG2000 data payloads.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation within the JPEG2000 decoder's get_cox function, which processes codeword groups during the decompression process. When the reduction factor parameter exceeds expected boundaries, the function proceeds to access array elements beyond their allocated memory bounds, resulting in out-of-bounds memory access patterns. This type of flaw falls under CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient validation of length of inputs, and represents a variant of the broader CWE-787, out-of-bounds write conditions. The improper validation occurs during the parsing of JPEG2000 codestreams where the reduction factor determines how many bits are used for representing the data, and when this value is manipulated beyond acceptable ranges, the memory access patterns become unpredictable.
The operational impact of CVE-2013-7019 extends beyond simple denial of service conditions to potentially enable more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution or system instability. Remote attackers can leverage this vulnerability by constructing malicious JPEG2000 files that contain malformed reduction factor values, which when processed by vulnerable FFmpeg implementations can trigger memory corruption. This vulnerability maps to multiple ATT&CK techniques including T1203, T1059, and T1559, representing process injection, command and scripting interpreter, and system service manipulation respectively. The vulnerability's remote exploitability makes it particularly dangerous in web environments where users might unknowingly download and process malicious media files, potentially leading to complete system compromise.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2013-7019 primarily focus on immediate software updates and patches to FFmpeg versions 2.1 and later, which contain the necessary fixes for proper reduction factor validation. Organizations should implement comprehensive patch management protocols to ensure all systems utilizing FFmpeg are updated with the latest security releases. Additionally, input validation should be enhanced at multiple layers including content filtering and sandboxing mechanisms to prevent malformed JPEG2000 data from reaching the vulnerable decoder functions. Network-based security controls such as intrusion detection systems can be configured to monitor for suspicious JPEG2000 file patterns, while application-level restrictions should be implemented to limit the processing of untrusted multimedia content. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical importance of robust input validation in multimedia processing libraries and demonstrates how seemingly minor parameter validation flaws can result in significant security implications across widely deployed software ecosystems.