CVE-2013-7022 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
The g2m_init_buffers function in libavcodec/g2meet.c in FFmpeg before 2.1 does not properly allocate memory for tiles, which allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds array access) or possibly have unspecified other impact via crafted Go2Webinar data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 01/11/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2013-7022 represents a critical memory management flaw within the FFmpeg multimedia framework that affects versions prior to 2.1. This issue resides in the g2m_init_buffers function located in libavcodec/g2meet.c, which is responsible for handling Go2Webinar format data processing. The flaw manifests when the system attempts to initialize buffer memory for video tiles, creating a scenario where insufficient memory allocation occurs for tile data structures. This improper memory handling creates a condition where remote attackers can manipulate the input data to trigger unexpected behavior in the multimedia processing pipeline.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability occurs through crafted Go2Webinar data that specifically targets the memory allocation logic within the g2m_init_buffers function. When the vulnerable FFmpeg component processes this malicious input, it fails to properly validate the expected memory requirements for tile buffers, leading to out-of-bounds array access conditions. This memory corruption can result in application crashes, system instability, or potentially more severe consequences depending on the execution environment. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of buffer overflow conditions and improper input validation, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where untrusted data is processed.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability poses significant risks to organizations relying on FFmpeg for multimedia processing, particularly in web applications, content management systems, and streaming platforms. The remote attack vector means that malicious actors can exploit this issue without requiring local access, making it especially concerning for services that process user-uploaded media content. The potential impacts range from simple denial of service conditions that disrupt legitimate service availability to more complex scenarios where the memory corruption could potentially be leveraged for arbitrary code execution, though the latter remains less likely given the specific nature of the flaw.
The vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which addresses improper validation of array indices, and relates to broader categories of memory safety issues within multimedia processing libraries. From an attacker's perspective, this flaw maps to ATT&CK techniques involving privilege escalation and denial of service through application exploitation. Organizations should consider implementing input validation mechanisms and restricting processing of untrusted multimedia content until proper patches are applied. The remediation strategy requires updating to FFmpeg version 2.1 or later, where the memory allocation logic has been corrected to properly handle tile buffer initialization and prevent out-of-bounds access conditions.
Security practitioners should prioritize this vulnerability in their assessment protocols due to its remote exploitability and potential for service disruption. The flaw demonstrates the importance of proper memory management in multimedia libraries, where buffer handling errors can create cascading effects throughout the entire processing pipeline. Organizations should also implement monitoring for unusual memory access patterns and consider deploying sandboxing techniques for multimedia processing to limit potential impact should exploitation occur. The vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical need for thorough input validation and memory safety practices in multimedia frameworks that handle diverse and potentially malicious input formats from untrusted sources.