CVE-2016-10198 in GStreamer
Summary
by MITRE
The gst_aac_parse_sink_setcaps function in gst/audioparsers/gstaacparse.c in gst-plugins-good in GStreamer before 1.10.3 allows remote attackers to cause a denial of service (invalid memory read and crash) via a crafted audio file.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/17/2026
The vulnerability identified as CVE-2016-10198 resides within the GStreamer multimedia framework's audio parsing component, specifically in the gst_aac_parse_sink_setcaps function located in gst/audioparsers/gstaacparse.c. This flaw affects GStreamer versions prior to 1.10.3 and represents a classic buffer overflow condition that manifests as an invalid memory read leading to application crash. The vulnerability occurs when the audio parser processes maliciously crafted AAC audio files, demonstrating how multimedia processing libraries can be exploited through malformed input data. This issue falls under the category of input validation failures that are commonly classified as CWE-125 in the Common Weakness Enumeration taxonomy, representing an out-of-bounds read condition.
The technical exploitation of this vulnerability involves remote attackers crafting specially formatted AAC audio files that trigger memory access violations within the gst_aac_parse_sink_setcaps function. When GStreamer attempts to process these malformed files, the function fails to properly validate the incoming audio stream parameters, leading to an invalid memory read operation that ultimately causes the application to crash. The vulnerability operates at the parsing layer of the multimedia framework, where audio data is analyzed and prepared for further processing, making it a critical point of failure in the media pipeline. This type of flaw represents a denial of service attack vector that can be executed without requiring special privileges or authentication, as the malicious input can be delivered through standard media playback channels.
The operational impact of CVE-2016-10198 extends beyond simple application crashes, as it can affect any system or application that relies on GStreamer for audio processing capabilities. This includes media players, streaming services, web browsers with embedded media support, and various multimedia applications across desktop and mobile platforms. The vulnerability can be particularly dangerous in environments where continuous media playback is expected, such as digital signage systems, media servers, or automated content delivery networks, where a single malicious file could disrupt service availability. The attack surface is broad given GStreamer's widespread adoption across multiple operating systems and applications, making this vulnerability particularly concerning from a security perspective.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability require immediate patching of affected GStreamer installations to version 1.10.3 or later, where the memory validation issues have been addressed. System administrators should implement input validation measures at the application level, including the use of sandboxing techniques to isolate media processing components from critical system resources. Network-level protections can include content filtering and media validation before playback, particularly in enterprise environments where untrusted media sources are common. The vulnerability also highlights the importance of implementing proper error handling and memory management practices in multimedia frameworks, aligning with ATT&CK technique T1203 for legitimate credentials and T1499 for endpoint denial of service. Organizations should consider implementing security monitoring solutions that can detect unusual memory access patterns or application crashes that may indicate exploitation attempts, particularly in systems that process user-uploaded media content.