CVE-2014-8154 in openSUSE
Summary
by MITRE
The Gst.MapInfo function in Vala 0.26.0 and 0.26.1 uses an incorrect buffer length declaration for the Gstreamer bindings, which allows context-dependent attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) or possibly execute arbitrary code via unspecified vectors, which trigger a heap-based buffer overflow.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 12/10/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8154 resides within the Gst.MapInfo function implementation in Vala version 0.26.0 and 0.26.1, representing a critical flaw in the Gstreamer multimedia framework bindings. This issue manifests through improper buffer length handling during memory allocation operations, creating a condition where attacker-controlled data can manipulate the memory management process. The vulnerability specifically affects the Vala programming language bindings for Gstreamer, which serve as a crucial interface layer between high-level applications and the underlying multimedia processing libraries. The flaw operates at the intersection of memory management and data validation, where the incorrect buffer length declaration creates an exploitable condition that can be triggered through specific input sequences or processing scenarios within Gstreamer pipelines.
The technical execution of this vulnerability involves a heap-based buffer overflow condition that occurs when the Gst.MapInfo function processes media data buffers. The incorrect buffer length declaration causes the system to allocate insufficient memory space for data processing, leading to memory corruption when legitimate data exceeds the allocated boundaries. This memory corruption can manifest in two primary ways: denial of service through application crashes or more severe arbitrary code execution when the corrupted memory locations are manipulated to redirect program execution flow. The vulnerability's context-dependent nature means that exploitation requires specific conditions related to the media data being processed and the particular Gstreamer pipeline configuration, making it challenging to exploit but potentially devastating when successful. The flaw operates at the system level where memory management and data processing intersect, creating opportunities for attackers to leverage the buffer overflow for privilege escalation or system compromise.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8154 extends beyond simple application instability to potentially enable remote code execution in vulnerable environments. Systems utilizing Vala bindings for Gstreamer, particularly those processing untrusted media content, face significant risk from this vulnerability. The heap-based buffer overflow creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate memory layout and potentially inject malicious code into the process space. This vulnerability affects a wide range of applications that depend on Gstreamer for multimedia processing, including media players, streaming applications, and multimedia frameworks. The exploitability of this condition is further enhanced by the fact that Gstreamer is commonly used in desktop and server environments, making the attack surface substantial. The vulnerability's classification aligns with CWE-121, heap-based buffer overflow, and represents a significant concern for the ATT&CK framework's execution and privilege escalation tactics.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8154 require immediate patching of affected Vala versions to address the buffer length declaration issue within the Gst.MapInfo function. Organizations should prioritize updating their Vala runtime environments and Gstreamer bindings to versions that contain the corrected memory management implementation. System administrators should implement network segmentation and input validation controls to limit exposure to potentially malicious media content. Additionally, runtime monitoring and anomaly detection systems should be deployed to identify potential exploitation attempts through unusual memory allocation patterns or process behavior. The vulnerability highlights the importance of proper buffer length validation in language bindings and underscores the need for comprehensive testing of memory management operations in multimedia processing frameworks. Security teams should conduct thorough vulnerability assessments of all systems utilizing Vala Gstreamer bindings to ensure complete remediation and prevent potential exploitation scenarios.