CVE-2013-7024 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
The jpeg2000_decode_tile function in libavcodec/jpeg2000dec.c in FFmpeg before 2.1 does not consider the component number in certain calculations, 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-2013-7024 represents a critical flaw in the FFmpeg multimedia processing library that affects systems handling JPEG2000 image format decoding. This issue resides within the jpeg2000_decode_tile function located in libavcodec/jpeg2000dec.c, where the software fails to properly account for component count during essential calculations. The flaw manifests when processing specially crafted JPEG2000 data streams that manipulate component number parameters in ways that bypass normal validation checks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from insufficient input validation and boundary checking within the JPEG2000 decoding pipeline. When FFmpeg processes malformed JPEG2000 files, the jpeg2000_decode_tile function performs array indexing operations without properly verifying that component counts align with expected array dimensions. This omission creates a scenario where out-of-bounds memory access can occur, potentially leading to application crashes or system instability. The vulnerability operates at the intersection of multiple cybersecurity domains including software security, multimedia processing, and memory safety protocols.
From an operational perspective, this vulnerability presents significant risks to systems that process or serve JPEG2000 content, particularly those in web environments where user-uploaded files are common. Remote attackers can exploit this flaw by crafting malicious JPEG2000 files that trigger the out-of-bounds access condition during decoding operations. The impact extends beyond simple denial of service, as the unspecified other impacts mentioned in the description could potentially enable more severe consequences including privilege escalation or arbitrary code execution depending on the system configuration and execution environment. This vulnerability directly maps to CWE-129: Improper Validation of Array Index and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203: Exploitation for Client Execution when targeting multimedia processing applications.
Organizations utilizing FFmpeg for image processing, video streaming, or content management systems face substantial exposure to this vulnerability. The remote attack vector means that systems processing user-generated content are particularly vulnerable, as attackers can simply upload malicious files to trigger the exploit. The lack of component number consideration in calculations creates a predictable pattern that attackers can leverage to craft effective payloads. Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patching of FFmpeg installations to version 2.1 or later, where the component count validation has been implemented. Additional protective measures include implementing strict file format validation, deploying network-based intrusion detection systems, and establishing robust input sanitization protocols for all multimedia content processing pipelines. System administrators should also consider implementing application-level sandboxing and memory protection mechanisms to limit the potential impact of successful exploitation attempts.