CVE-2014-125023 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE • 06/19/2022
A vulnerability was found in FFmpeg 2.0. It has been declared as problematic. Affected by this vulnerability is the function truemotion1_decode_header of the component Truemotion1 Handler. The manipulation leads to memory corruption. The attack can be launched remotely. It is recommended to apply a patch to fix this issue.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 07/17/2026
The vulnerability in FFmpeg version 2.0 represents a critical memory corruption flaw within the Truemotion1 Handler component, specifically affecting the truemotion1_decode_header function. This issue falls under the category of buffer overflow vulnerabilities as defined by CWE-121, where insufficient bounds checking allows attackers to write beyond allocated memory boundaries. The vulnerability exists in the video decoding pipeline that processes Truemotion1 encoded media files, making it particularly dangerous given FFmpeg's widespread adoption across multimedia applications and platforms.
The technical implementation of this flaw occurs when the truemotion1_decode_header function fails to properly validate input parameters during header parsing operations. When processing maliciously crafted Truemotion1 video files, the function does not adequately check array bounds or buffer sizes, allowing an attacker to manipulate memory layout through carefully constructed input data. This memory corruption can result in arbitrary code execution, denial of service conditions, or information disclosure depending on how the corrupted memory is subsequently accessed by the application.
Remote exploitation of this vulnerability is particularly concerning as it requires no local access to the target system and can be delivered through web-based media playback scenarios or file sharing platforms where FFmpeg is integrated. The attack vector leverages the normal operation of video decoding processes, making detection difficult as legitimate usage patterns are indistinguishable from malicious ones. This aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which describes the use of software exploitation to gain unauthorized access through application vulnerabilities.
The operational impact extends beyond simple system compromise as FFmpeg serves as a foundational component in numerous media processing pipelines including web browsers, content management systems, and multimedia applications. Any application that utilizes FFmpeg for video handling becomes potentially vulnerable to this memory corruption flaw. The vulnerability affects both server-side applications that process user-uploaded media files and client-side applications that decode media content, creating a broad attack surface that spans across multiple security domains.
Mitigation strategies should prioritize immediate patch application as recommended by the vendor, with organizations implementing comprehensive monitoring for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis and file integrity checks. The fix typically involves implementing proper bounds checking within the truemotion1_decode_header function, adding input validation routines, and potentially employing address space layout randomization or other exploit mitigation techniques. Organizations should also consider maintaining updated threat intelligence feeds related to multimedia format vulnerabilities and implement sandboxing mechanisms for media processing to limit potential damage from successful exploitation attempts.