CVE-2014-9597 in VLC Media Player
Summary
by MITRE
The picture_pool_Delete function in misc/picture_pool.c in VideoLAN VLC media player 2.1.5 allows remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause a denial of service (DEP violation and application crash) via a crafted FLV file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 08/03/2025
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9597 resides within the picture_pool_Delete function in VideoLAN VLC media player version 2.1.5, specifically in the misc/picture_pool.c source file. This flaw represents a critical security issue that demonstrates how improper memory management in multimedia processing software can lead to severe exploitation vectors. The vulnerability manifests when VLC processes specially crafted FLV (Flash Video) files, which are widely used multimedia containers that can be embedded in web pages and distributed through various digital platforms. The attack surface expands significantly given VLC's widespread adoption across multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, Linux, and mobile platforms, making it a prime target for adversaries seeking to compromise user systems through media playback.
The technical root cause of this vulnerability stems from a lack of proper bounds checking and memory validation within the picture pool management system. When VLC encounters a malformed FLV file, the picture_pool_Delete function fails to properly validate input parameters before attempting to process picture pool entries. This deficiency creates a condition where maliciously constructed FLV files can trigger memory corruption issues that bypass Data Execution Prevention mechanisms. The vulnerability operates through a DEP violation, where executable code is placed in non-executable memory regions, causing the application to crash or potentially allowing arbitrary code execution. This type of flaw falls under CWE-121, which describes heap-based buffer overflow conditions, and specifically aligns with ATT&CK technique T1203, which covers exploitation of memory corruption vulnerabilities through crafted input files.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple denial of service, as it provides attackers with potential paths to achieve remote code execution on victim systems. When a user opens a maliciously crafted FLV file through VLC, the application crashes due to the memory corruption triggered by the malformed input. However, the more concerning aspect is that this vulnerability could potentially be exploited to execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running VLC, which could lead to full system compromise. The attack requires minimal user interaction beyond opening the malicious file, making it particularly dangerous in phishing campaigns or when users browse compromised websites that serve such media files. The vulnerability affects all platforms where VLC is installed, creating a universal threat vector that demonstrates the critical importance of proper input validation in multimedia processing libraries.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9597 should focus on immediate software updates and implementation of additional security controls. Users should upgrade to VLC version 2.2.0 or later, which includes patches addressing this specific vulnerability through enhanced input validation and memory management. Organizations should implement network-based protections including content filtering systems that can identify and block FLV files from untrusted sources. The vulnerability also highlights the need for robust sandboxing mechanisms in media players, which could contain the impact of such exploits even if they are successfully delivered. Security professionals should monitor for exploitation attempts through network traffic analysis, particularly looking for suspicious FLV file transfers. Additionally, the vulnerability underscores the importance of following secure coding practices such as those outlined in the OWASP Secure Coding Practices, which emphasize proper input validation, bounds checking, and memory management to prevent similar issues in multimedia processing applications.