CVE-2014-125002 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE • 06/18/2022
A vulnerability was found in FFmpeg 2.0. It has been classified as problematic. Affected is the function dnxhd_init_rc of the file libavcodec/dnxhdenc.c. The manipulation leads to memory corruption. It is possible to launch the attack remotely. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 06/18/2026
This vulnerability in FFmpeg version 2.0 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the dnxhd_init_rc function located in the libavcodec/dnxhdenc.c source file. The issue arises from improper handling of memory allocation and initialization processes during the DNxHD video encoding procedure, creating potential attack vectors that can be exploited remotely. The vulnerability classification as problematic indicates significant security implications given FFmpeg's widespread adoption across multimedia applications, content management systems, and digital media processing platforms. Memory corruption vulnerabilities of this nature typically stem from inadequate bounds checking, improper buffer management, or flawed initialization sequences that allow attackers to manipulate memory structures through crafted input data.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves attackers sending specially crafted media files or encoding parameters that trigger the vulnerable dnxhd_init_rc function. When FFmpeg processes these inputs, the flawed memory management logic can lead to heap corruption, stack overflow conditions, or arbitrary code execution capabilities. The remote attack surface is particularly concerning as it allows threat actors to exploit this vulnerability without requiring local system access, making it a significant risk for web applications, streaming services, and content delivery platforms that utilize FFmpeg for video processing. This vulnerability aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and CWE-125, out-of-bounds read, as the memory corruption occurs during the initialization phase of video encoding operations where buffer boundaries are not properly validated.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple memory corruption, potentially enabling full system compromise when exploited in conjunction with other attack vectors or within specific deployment contexts. Organizations utilizing FFmpeg for video processing services face elevated risk of unauthorized access, data breaches, or service disruption if this vulnerability remains unpatched. The widespread use of FFmpeg across various industries including broadcasting, media streaming, content management systems, and enterprise multimedia solutions amplifies the potential attack surface. This vulnerability particularly affects systems that process user-uploaded media content or handle remote video encoding requests, where attackers can leverage the flaw to execute malicious code on vulnerable systems.
Security remediation for this vulnerability requires immediate application of vendor-provided patches or updates to FFmpeg versions that contain fixed implementations of the dnxhd_init_rc function. System administrators should prioritize patch management procedures and conduct thorough testing of updated FFmpeg installations to ensure compatibility with existing multimedia workflows. Additionally, implementing network segmentation and input validation controls can provide additional defense-in-depth measures while patches are being deployed. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of maintaining up-to-date multimedia processing libraries and implementing proper security controls around media file handling processes. Organizations should also consider monitoring for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and implementing automated patch deployment mechanisms to minimize exposure windows. This vulnerability serves as a reminder of the critical security considerations in multimedia processing libraries and the potential impact of memory corruption flaws in widely-used open source components.