CVE-2015-5949 in VLC Media Player
Summary
by MITRE
VideoLAN VLC media player 2.2.1 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (crash) and possibly execute arbitrary code via a crafted 3GP file, which triggers the freeing of arbitrary pointers.
If you want to get best quality of vulnerability data, you may have to visit VulDB.
Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 11/18/2024
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2015-5949 affects VideoLAN VLC media player version 2.2.1 and represents a critical security flaw that enables remote attackers to execute arbitrary code or cause denial of service through manipulation of 3GP media files. This vulnerability stems from improper memory management during the processing of crafted 3GP containers, where the application attempts to free memory pointers that have already been deallocated or are otherwise invalid. The flaw exists within the media parsing logic that handles 3GP file structures, specifically when processing certain metadata or media stream configurations that trigger improper pointer arithmetic or memory deallocation sequences. The vulnerability is classified under CWE-415 as Double Free, which occurs when a program attempts to free the same memory location twice, leading to unpredictable behavior and potential code execution.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability requires an attacker to craft a malicious 3GP file that contains specially designed payload data within its metadata or stream headers. When VLC processes this crafted file, the media parser encounters malformed data structures that cause the application to follow invalid memory pointer paths, ultimately leading to the freeing of memory locations that either do not belong to the current process or have already been freed. This memory corruption scenario creates opportunities for attackers to manipulate the program flow and potentially execute arbitrary code with the privileges of the user running VLC. The attack vector is particularly dangerous because it can be delivered through various means including email attachments, web downloads, or streaming services, making it a significant threat in environments where users frequently consume media content.
The operational impact of CVE-2015-5949 extends beyond simple denial of service scenarios, as it represents a potential path to full system compromise when exploited successfully. The vulnerability affects users across multiple operating systems including Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms where VLC is installed, making it a widespread concern for both individual users and enterprise environments. Organizations that deploy VLC as part of their media processing workflows or that allow users to download and play media content from untrusted sources face heightened risk exposure. The vulnerability's potential for remote code execution means that attackers could gain unauthorized access to systems, install malware, or establish persistent backdoors through this attack vector. This makes it particularly concerning for security teams managing environments where media playback is common, such as in educational institutions, corporate networks, or public media consumption venues.
Mitigation strategies for CVE-2015-5949 should prioritize immediate patching of affected VLC installations to version 2.2.2 or later, which contains the necessary fixes for the memory management issues. Organizations should also implement network-based restrictions that prevent access to untrusted media content sources and consider deploying application whitelisting solutions that limit VLC execution to trusted environments. Security monitoring should include detection of suspicious media file processing activities and network traffic patterns associated with malicious 3GP file delivery. The vulnerability aligns with ATT&CK technique T1059.007 for Command and Scripting Interpreter, as exploitation may involve executing malicious code through the compromised media player application. Additionally, the vulnerability demonstrates characteristics of T1203 for Exploitation for Client Execution, since it leverages media player applications to execute arbitrary code on target systems through crafted media files. Regular security assessments should verify that all VLC installations are updated and that appropriate network controls are in place to prevent exploitation attempts.