CVE-2014-8548 in FFmpeg
Summary
by MITRE
Off-by-one error in libavcodec/smc.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 Quicktime Graphics (aka SMC) video data.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 02/27/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-8548 represents a critical off-by-one error within the FFmpeg multimedia framework's handling of QuickTime Graphics (SMC) video data. This flaw exists in the libavcodec/smc.c component of FFmpeg versions prior to 2.4.2, where improper boundary checking allows maliciously crafted SMC video files to trigger memory access violations. The issue stems from insufficient validation of input data parameters during the decoding process, specifically when processing the frame dimensions and buffer allocations required for SMC format interpretation.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability involves a classic buffer overflow scenario where the software calculates buffer boundaries incorrectly by one byte, leading to out-of-bounds memory access patterns. When FFmpeg encounters crafted SMC data, the decoder attempts to allocate memory or access specific memory regions beyond the intended boundaries, creating opportunities for denial of service conditions or potentially more severe impacts depending on the execution environment. This type of vulnerability aligns with CWE-129, which specifically addresses insufficient boundary checking in input validation scenarios, and represents a subset of memory safety issues commonly exploited in multimedia processing libraries.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as remote attackers can potentially leverage the out-of-bounds access to execute arbitrary code or cause system instability. In environments where FFmpeg processes untrusted media content, such as web applications, media servers, or content delivery networks, this vulnerability creates a significant attack surface. The SMC format's usage in QuickTime video streams makes this particularly concerning for applications that support broad multimedia format compatibility, as attackers can craft malicious video files that trigger the vulnerability during normal playback or processing operations.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-8548 primarily focus on immediate patching of FFmpeg installations to versions 2.4.2 or later, where the boundary checking has been properly implemented. Organizations should also implement input validation measures that filter or sanitize SMC video content before processing, particularly in applications that handle untrusted media files. Network-level protections such as content filtering and media validation can help prevent exploitation attempts, while monitoring systems should be configured to detect unusual resource consumption patterns that may indicate successful exploitation attempts. The vulnerability demonstrates the importance of robust input validation in multimedia processing libraries and aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of input validation flaws in multimedia applications. Additionally, implementing proper memory safety practices and regular security assessments of multimedia processing components can help prevent similar issues in future deployments.