CVE-2014-8546 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
Integer underflow in libavcodec/cinepak.c in FFmpeg before 2.4.2 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (out-of-bounds access) or possibly have unspecified other impact via crafted Cinepak video data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8546 represents a critical integer underflow condition within the FFmpeg multimedia framework's Cinepak video codec implementation. This flaw exists in the libavcodec/cinepak.c file and affects FFmpeg versions prior to 2.4.2, making it a significant concern for systems processing multimedia content. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation when handling Cinepak video streams, specifically in how the software manages integer arithmetic operations during frame processing. When maliciously crafted Cinepak video data is processed, the integer underflow occurs during calculations related to buffer sizes or frame dimensions, leading to unpredictable behavior in the application's memory management.
The technical nature of this vulnerability places it squarely within the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, though specifically manifesting as an underflow condition that can lead to memory corruption. The flaw operates by manipulating the integer variables used to calculate buffer boundaries or frame dimensions in such a way that the resulting value becomes unexpectedly small or negative. This creates a scenario where subsequent memory operations attempt to access memory locations outside the intended bounds, potentially causing the application to crash or behave unpredictably. The vulnerability's remote exploitability means that attackers can trigger the condition without requiring local access, simply by delivering specially crafted Cinepak video content to a system running an affected FFmpeg version.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-8546 extends beyond simple denial of service to potentially encompass more severe consequences including arbitrary code execution or information disclosure. When the integer underflow occurs, it can result in out-of-bounds memory access patterns that may be exploitable by attackers to execute malicious code within the context of the affected application. This represents a significant risk for media servers, content delivery networks, and applications that process user-uploaded video content without proper validation. The vulnerability affects systems that rely on FFmpeg for video processing, including web applications, media players, streaming services, and content management systems that handle Cinepak video formats.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected FFmpeg installations to version 2.4.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes to prevent the integer underflow condition. Organizations should also implement input validation measures that sanitize all incoming video content before processing, particularly focusing on Cinepak format streams. Network-level defenses can include content filtering mechanisms that identify and block suspicious video payloads, while application-level protections should enforce strict bounds checking and memory management practices. The ATT&CK framework categorizes this vulnerability under the T1203 technique of Exploitation for Execution, as the integer underflow can be leveraged to achieve remote code execution. System administrators should also monitor for unusual memory access patterns or application crashes that might indicate exploitation attempts, and maintain comprehensive logging of multimedia processing activities to detect potential attacks.