CVE-2014-3735 in Indeo Video
Summary
by MITRE
ir41_32.ax 4.51.16.3 for Intel Indeo Video 4.5 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) via a crafted .avi file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 05/31/2017
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-3735 affects the ir41_32.ax component version 4.51.16.3 of Intel Indeo Video 4.5 codec software. This issue represents a significant security concern within multimedia processing frameworks where improper input validation leads to system instability. The affected component serves as a critical element in video decoding operations, particularly for handling avi format files that utilize the Indeo video compression standard developed by Intel. The flaw manifests specifically when processing maliciously crafted avi files that exploit buffer handling deficiencies within the codec's parsing logic. This vulnerability operates at the intersection of multimedia processing and software security, where legitimate media handling functions become vectors for system compromise.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability stems from inadequate bounds checking and memory management within the ir41_32.ax driver during avi file parsing operations. When the codec encounters a specially constructed avi file containing malformed headers or corrupted data structures, the parsing routine fails to properly validate input parameters before attempting to allocate memory or process video frames. This results in memory corruption that ultimately leads to application termination or system crash. The flaw can be categorized under CWE-125 as out-of-bounds read conditions, where the codec attempts to access memory locations beyond the allocated buffer boundaries. The vulnerability demonstrates characteristics consistent with heap-based buffer overflow conditions that have been commonly observed in multimedia codec implementations, particularly those handling legacy video formats.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-3735 extends beyond simple denial of service to represent a potential vector for more sophisticated attacks within targeted environments. Attackers can leverage this vulnerability to disrupt multimedia applications, potentially causing service interruptions in systems that rely heavily on video processing capabilities such as surveillance systems, multimedia servers, or content delivery platforms. The remote exploitation capability means that adversaries can trigger the vulnerability without requiring local system access, making it particularly dangerous in networked environments where users might unknowingly open maliciously crafted avi files from untrusted sources. This vulnerability affects systems running vulnerable versions of Intel Indeo Video 4.5 software, which were commonly deployed in enterprise environments and consumer applications during the affected period, creating widespread exposure across multiple operational domains.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate software updates and patches provided by Intel to address the buffer handling deficiencies within the ir41_32.ax component. System administrators should implement comprehensive patch management procedures to ensure all affected systems receive updates promptly, as the vulnerability represents a clear risk to system availability and operational continuity. Network security controls including email filtering and web content filtering should be enhanced to prevent users from accessing potentially malicious avi files through common attack vectors. Additionally, organizations should consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict execution of multimedia codecs to trusted applications only, reducing the attack surface for exploitation. From a defensive perspective, the vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203 which involves gaining access through exploitation of software vulnerabilities, and T1499 which covers network denial of service attacks. Organizations should also conduct regular vulnerability assessments to identify similar issues in other multimedia processing components and ensure comprehensive security coverage across all media handling functionalities.