CVE-2014-9629 in VLC Media Player
Summary
by MITRE
Integer overflow in the Encode function in modules/codec/schroedinger.c in VideoLAN VLC media player before 2.1.6 and 2.2.x before 2.2.1 allows remote attackers to conduct buffer overflow attacks and execute arbitrary code via a crafted length value.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/08/2022
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2014-9629 represents a critical integer overflow condition within the VideoLAN VLC media player software ecosystem. This flaw exists specifically within the Encode function located in the modules/codec/schroedinger.c file, affecting versions prior to 2.1.6 and 2.2.x versions before 2.2.1. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation and arithmetic overflow handling when processing multimedia content, creating a pathway for malicious actors to manipulate the software's memory management mechanisms. The integer overflow occurs during the processing of crafted length values that exceed the maximum representable value for the integer data type, leading to unexpected behavior in memory allocation and buffer handling operations. This vulnerability falls under the CWE-190 category of Integer Overflow or Wraparound, which is a well-documented weakness in software security that has been extensively catalogued in the Common Weakness Enumeration database. The flaw demonstrates characteristics consistent with the ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for command and scripting interpreter, as the overflow can potentially enable arbitrary code execution through manipulation of the media processing pipeline.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a specially formatted multimedia file containing malicious length values that trigger the integer overflow condition. When VLC processes such a file, the overflow causes the software to allocate insufficient memory buffers, which can then be overwritten by attacker-controlled data. This buffer overflow scenario creates an opportunity for remote code execution, as the attacker can manipulate memory layout to inject and execute malicious code within the context of the VLC process. The vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it operates within the media decoding pipeline, where user interaction is minimal and the attack can be initiated through simple media file delivery. The integer overflow specifically affects the handling of video frame data and encoding parameters, where length fields are used to determine buffer sizes for temporary storage during processing. The flaw demonstrates how seemingly benign parameter validation can become a critical security weakness when integer arithmetic operations are not properly bounded or checked for overflow conditions.
The operational impact of CVE-2014-9629 extends beyond simple privilege escalation or denial of service scenarios, as it provides a complete remote code execution capability that can be leveraged across various network environments. Attackers can deploy this vulnerability in phishing campaigns, malicious file sharing, or web-based attacks targeting VLC users who process untrusted media content. The vulnerability affects both desktop and mobile versions of VLC, making it particularly widespread given the software's extensive deployment across multiple platforms and operating systems. Organizations utilizing VLC for media processing, streaming, or playback in enterprise environments face significant risk exposure, as the vulnerability can be exploited through various attack vectors including email attachments, web downloads, or network file sharing. The exploitability of this vulnerability is enhanced by the fact that VLC is commonly used in automated media processing workflows, where the software may be triggered automatically by system processes or scheduled tasks, amplifying the potential impact of the vulnerability.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2014-9629 focus primarily on immediate software updates and patches provided by VideoLAN, which address the integer overflow condition through proper input validation and arithmetic overflow protection mechanisms. System administrators should prioritize updating VLC installations to versions 2.1.6 or 2.2.1 and later, as these releases contain the necessary fixes to prevent the integer overflow from occurring. Additionally, network administrators should implement content filtering measures to restrict access to potentially malicious media files, particularly in environments where VLC is used for processing untrusted content. The vulnerability highlights the importance of implementing robust input validation and sanitization practices throughout multimedia processing pipelines, as well as regular security auditing of third-party libraries and codecs. Security monitoring should include detection of unusual memory allocation patterns and buffer operations that may indicate exploitation attempts. Organizations should also consider implementing application whitelisting policies that restrict VLC execution to trusted environments and user accounts, reducing the attack surface for potential exploitation. The fix implemented by VideoLAN addresses the core integer overflow issue by adding proper bounds checking and ensuring that length parameters are validated before being used in memory allocation calculations, preventing the overflow condition that previously enabled buffer overflows and arbitrary code execution.